Life transitions are often conceptualized and studied as individual experiences. But in reality, transitions are rarely individual: they are relational. We offer a set of insights into the social aspects of transitions. Transitions are experienced with and alongside others in states of interdependence. Family and other relationships can be key sources of support for transitions but also create risks. Changes in the transition patterns of cohorts are fertile ground for intergenerational tension in families and societies. Much of the action relevant to understanding life transitions is also found in the mind, in processes related to inequality, and in invisible forces related to history, demography, and institutions. Illustrations reinforce the principle that to understand the personal, we must look beyond the personal. Because transitions have strong social aspects, they can be strengthened through interventions, institutions, and policies.

人生过渡通常被概念化并作为个人经验进行研究。但实际上，过渡很少是单个的：它们是关系性的。我们提供了有关过渡的社会方面的一组见解。在相互依存状态下，与他人一起经历了过渡。家庭和其他关系可能是过渡的主要支持来源，但也会带来风险。人群过渡模式的变化是家庭和社会代际紧张关系的沃土。在头脑中，与不平等有关的过程以及与历史，人口统计学和制度有关的无形力量中，也发现了许多与理解生活转变有关的行动。插图强调了以下原则：要理解个人，我们必须超越个人。