Emerging adulthood is a transitional phase that bridges adolescence and full-fledged adulthood. This period involves significant developmental tasks such as completing education, finding love, attaining independence from family, starting a family, pursuing further training, securing stable employment, and obtaining a home.
Defines adulthood in terms of number of
years since birth
Reflects age
Biological Clock
How our bodies change (getting taller)
Reflects physical changes as we grow
Psychological Clock
Reflects how brain is developing
How we psychologically grow as people
Social Clock
Our social changes for example getting married, moving out
Reflects society’s “timetable” of expectations for us
History
21st century
Individuals are more emotionally and financially
tied to parents
20th century
School was mandatory until 16 years old
School became more important for success
Labor law came no more kids in factories
Industrialization (Late 19th century)
Employment low
Children married younger and left home
There were more ways to earn income other then farming. Children didn't have to be sent away to earn money
Pre-industrialization (Pre 1850)
Families had lots of children so that children would work
Because of high newborn child mortality (high passing rate before age of 20), guardians were exhorted not to get attached to kids. Passionate relationship to guardians was non-existent
Definition of adulthood
Meeting the maximum growth and maturity
Biologically, an adult is an organism that has reached sexual maturity. In human context, the term adult additionally has meanings associated with social and legal concepts.
Developmental tasks of early adulthood
Getting a home
Having a family
Finding love
Becoming independent from family
Getting a stable job
Additional training and schooling
Finishing school
Definition of emerging adulthood
Is a transition that begins in adolescence and continues to adulthood
Challenges of emerging
adulthood
Its a big change going into adulthood. Most people
aren't ready for it.
Cultural changes have resulted in a new life stage between adolescence
You became an adult when you (1) finished school, (2) got a job, (3) married, and (4) had children. Those are all big steps.
Debt
Student debt
For example, after three years of post-secondary schooling in Nova Scotia, Verge graduated in 2008 with about $25,000 of debt. But in 5 years she was only able to pay about 2,000 back.
Most adults are still paying off college fees and debt of
when their way older