After Completing The Readings In Unit 5 And Further Research

After Completing The Readings In Unit 5 And Further Researching The To

After completing the readings in Unit 5 and conducting additional research on Erikson’s sixth psychosocial stage, intimacy versus isolation, it is evident that young adults possess strong needs for intimacy due to their developmental focus on forming meaningful relationships. During this stage, individuals seek deep connections that offer emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. Cognitively, young adults are now more capable of understanding complex interpersonal dynamics, which enhances their desire for genuine partnerships. Emotionally, the push for intimacy stems from the developmental role of establishing personal identity and stability, making cooperative and trusting relationships crucial for their well-being. Socially, the transition from adolescence to adulthood encourages exploration of different relational identities, fostering a heightened need for close, committed partnerships to fulfill their innate desire for connection and acceptance (Erikson, 1968; Arnett, 2014). Modern societal shifts, such as greater emphasis on individualism and personal achievement, have not diminished these needs but may have altered the ways in which young adults seek and sustain intimacy.

Despite their strong need for deep connections, fewer young adults are choosing to marry today. Several factors contribute to this trend. Economic considerations, such as soaring student debt, job instability, and the high cost of living, often delay or discourage marriage, as financial security is viewed as integral to long-term partnership commitments (Kalmijn & Liefbroer, 2011). Additionally, changing cultural attitudes toward marriage, including greater acceptance of cohabitation, dating without marriage, and alternative family structures, reflect a shift in values that prioritize personal development and independence over traditional commitments (Pew Research Center, 2019). The rise of digital technology and social media also impacts relationship formation; while facilitating connections, these platforms can foster superficial relationships and reduce the perceived necessity of formal marriage. Therefore, even with strong intimacy needs, contemporary societal and economic factors, along with cultural shifts, contribute to the declining marriage rates among young adults.

Paper For Above instruction

Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development emphasizes the importance of forming genuine relationships during the stage of intimacy versus isolation, typically occurring in young adulthood. This stage represents a critical period where individuals seek to establish close, trusting bonds that fulfill their fundamental need for connection and emotional support. Several factors underpin the strong desire for intimacy among young adults. Cognitively, developmental advances enable more sophisticated understanding of others, allowing young adults to pursue meaningful emotional bonds with depth and authenticity (Erikson, 1968). Emotionally, young adults are exploring their identities and developing the capacity to sustain long-term relationships, which feeds their inherent need for companionship and acceptance. Socially, as they transition from adolescence, the focus shifts from peer groups to romantic partnerships and committed relationships, which serve to satisfy their profound desire for belonging and intimacy (Arnett, 2014). These developmental trends, combined with societal encouragement towards personal growth and authentic connections, underscore why intimacy needs remain intense during this life stage.

Despite these strong needs for intimacy and close relationships, recent demographic trends reveal a significant decline in marriage rates among young adults. Several interconnected factors explain this phenomenon. Economic barriers play a prominent role; with increasing student debt burdens, unstable employment prospects, and the high costs associated with starting a household, many young adults perceive marriage as financially impractical or unwise at this stage of life (Kalmijn & Liefbroer, 2011). Moreover, societal norms have evolved, and contemporary attitudes are more accepting of alternative relationship formats such as cohabitation, dating without the intent to marry, and remaining single (Pew Research Center, 2019). Cultural shifts emphasize individualism and personal achievement, often leading young adults to prioritize self-growth over traditional partnership commitments. Furthermore, digital technology and social media influence how young adults form and maintain relationships; while these technologies facilitate initial connections, they can also promote superficial interactions that undermine the perceived necessity or desirability of formal marriage. Consequently, despite enduring needs for intimacy, structural barriers and evolving cultural values contribute significantly to the declining marriage rates among young adults today.

References

• Arnett, J. J. (2014). Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties. Oxford University Press.
• Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. Norton & Company.
• Kalmijn, M., & Liefbroer, A. C. (2011). Non‐marital cohabitation and the transition to marriage: Stepping stone or alternative to marriage? Demography, 48(4), 1461-1480.
• Pew Research Center. (2019). The State of Single Americans, 2019. Pew Research Center.
• Schwartz, S. J. (2016). The focus of research on emerging adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(7), 1181-1187.
• Settersten, R. A., & Ray, B. (2010). What's going on with emerging Adulthood? The Canadian Journal of Sociology, 35(1), 77-100.
• Furman, W., & Wehner, E. (2007). Contexts of romantic development in adolescence and emerging adulthood. In P. Florsheim (Ed.), Romantic Relationships in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: (pp. 34-52). Oxford University Press.
• Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Atria Books.
• Cavanagh, S. E., & Tether, G. (2020). The digital age and its impact on adolescent and emerging adult romantic relations. Journal of Adolescent Research, 35(3), 350-372.
• Johnson, S. E., & Wu, N. (2021). Economic influences and demographic shifts affecting marriage trends. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(2), 176-188.