Final answer:
Life stages or phases of life refer to the predictable milestones in a person's life, such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age, with each bringing different responsibilities and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
We break the human lifetime into a series of milestones that are referred to as life stages or phases of life. These stages include prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood (which can be further divided into early adulthood, middle adulthood, and old age), and ultimately death. Each phase comes with its own set of responsibilities, expectations, and developmental goals, which vary by individual and culture. From the playful learning stages of childhood to the independence-testing years of adolescence to the career and family-building focus of adulthood, each stage contributes to the overall story of one's lifespan development.
Furthermore, old age can bring the joys of grandparenthood and the exploration of hobbies, though it is viewed differently across cultures. Some may embrace the time while others may seek to avoid the signs of aging. Ultimately, these perspectives are shaped by cultural values and the socialization process.