The focus of this newsletter is on the interaction between two major developmental stages: adolescence and middle age. Research and theories about each stage are presented separately, followed by a discussion of how the two occur within the family structure. This discussion may be useful to teachers, counselors, employers, or researchers working with individuals who are particularly affected by the impact of this cross-stage interaction. Among the unique and stressful characteristics of adolescence are ego identity, peer-group relations, emotional growth, establishment of independence, and career formation. Middle age is frequently characterized by awareness of aging and proximity of death, waning health and vitality, achievement of career plateau, waning parenthood, and resultant change in marriage situations. When adolescents undergo ego identity and role confusion at the same time that their parents experience pressures of generativity versus ego stagnation, tension and potential conflict are likely. Parents may not have the physical or psychic energy to guide their adolescent children, and alienation may result. Greater freedom for the younger generation may promote inferiority feelings in parents. Research is needed to explore family therapy, education about problems of aging, and effect of environment or individual characteristics on the varying severity of transitional stages experienced by different people. (AV)