Abstract
Full-time career retirement is a major developmental transition that is often examined through race-neutral frameworks, leaving Black men’s experiences underexplored in counseling and aging scholarship. This perspective article centers the narrative of a retired Black man veteran who transitioned into full-time career retirement after decades of state employment. Using a narrative interview approach, this manuscript examines the factors that shaped his retirement decision and adjustment to later adulthood. The interview frames retirement as a process of self-preservation, continuity, and intentional living rather than identity loss or disengagement. Findings highlight the role of disciplined wellness practices and selective disengagement in promoting balance and stability. Implications emphasize culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches that honor Black men’s lived experiences and self-defined paths to well-being. By centering lived experience, this article contributes to more inclusive understandings of retirement and adult development.
Author ORCID Identifier
Demetrius Cofield- 0000-0003-3998-9576
Recommended Citation
Cofield, Demetrius and Rakes, Amaya
(2026)
"Full-Time Career Retirement: A Black Man’s Narrative of Survival and Protecting His Peace,"
Adultspan Journal: Vol. 25:
Iss.
2, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2161-0029.1242
Available at:
https://mds.marshall.edu/adsp/vol25/iss2/4
