In Your Text You've Read About The Transition Period Between ✓ Solved

In Your Text Youve Read About The Transition Period Between Adolescen

In your text you've read about the transition period between adolescence and adulthood. Arnett coined the term "emerging adulthood" for this period of in-between-ness. Why don't adolescence quickly and decisively enter adulthood? Why is emerging adulthood a thing? For your original post, explain why emerging adulthood occurs. What factors influence it? Has emerging adulthood always occurred or is this a more modern phenomenon?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Emerging adulthood is a distinct developmental stage characterized by a transitional period between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood. Coined by developmental psychologist Jeffrey Arnett, emerging adulthood typically spans the ages of approximately 18 to 25 years old. This period is marked by exploration, identity development, and a sense of instability, differing significantly from previous assumptions that adolescence directly leads to adulthood. This essay explores why adolescence does not quickly and decisively transition into adulthood, the factors influencing emerging adulthood, and whether this phenomenon is a modern development or has existed historically.

The Nature of Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood represents a phase where individuals experience a delay in assuming traditional adult roles such as full-time employment, marriage, and parenthood. Unlike earlier generations, contemporary young adults often postpone these milestones, leading to an extended period of exploration and self-discovery. Arnett's theory suggests that this prolonged transition is due to a complex interplay of societal, economic, and cultural factors that have transformed the pathway to adulthood.

Factors Influencing Emerging Adulthood

Several factors contribute to the emergence of this transitional stage. Economic shifts, particularly the increased cost of higher education and housing, have made financial independence more challenging for young adults (Arnett, 2014). Social expectations regarding career and personal development have also evolved, emphasizing individual choice and self-exploration over traditional timelines (Rindfuss et al., 1987). Additionally, technological advances and globalization have expanded opportunities for education and employment, allowing for more flexible life trajectories (Johnson et al., 2005).

Cultural variations also play a crucial role; in Western societies, independence and self-identity are highly valued, fostering the emergence of this transitional period. Conversely, in many non-Western cultures, the transition to adulthood is more rapid and structured, often linked directly to marriage and family responsibilities (Furstenberg, 2000).

Historical Context of Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood as a concept is largely considered a modern phenomenon. Historically, individuals transitioned more quickly from adolescence to adulthood, often within the context of family and community responsibilities. For example, in agrarian societies, early marriage and labor roles facilitated an accelerated passage into adult responsibilities (Mead, 1928). The prolonged transition seen today reflects societal changes including extended education, economic instability, and shifting cultural values that promote individualism and delayed family formation (Arnett, 2000).

While the state of extended adolescence has existed in various forms, the specific concept of emerging adulthood as a distinct developmental period has gained prominence only in recent decades, correlating with economic development and cultural shifts in Western societies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, emerging adulthood occurs due to a combination of societal, economic, cultural, and technological factors. It is a response to the delayed attainment of traditional adult roles necessitated by modern economic conditions, educational requirements, and cultural ideals of independence. Understanding this phase enhances our comprehension of contemporary developmental trajectories and informs policies and practices that support young adults during this transitional period.

References

• Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469-480.
• Arnett, J. J. (2014). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. Oxford University Press.
• Furstenberg, F. F. (2000). Adolescent development and the future of research on emerging adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29(4), 463-474.
• Johnson, M. K., & Mortimer, J. T. (2005). Adolescent development and the transition to adulthood. Handbook of child psychology.
• Mead, M. (1928). Coming of age in Samoa. William Morrow & Co.
• Rindfuss, R. R., Swicegood, C., & Rosenfeld, R. A. (1987). Disorder in the life course: How common and does it seem to matter? American Sociological Review, 52(6), 785-801.