Emerging Adulthood
For my job, I am writing a literature review and article on emerging adulthood at BYU. I love my job. Seriously, I can't even write about how much I love my job. I have read over journal articles about emerging adulthood and it is so interesting to me. I am in this stage currently so I understand exactly how I feel and relate to this developmental stage.
First of all, I am going to give you a background. The stage is relatively new. Arnett proposed this new stage in 1990 and research is still coming out about it. It is between the ages of 18-25. Before individuals were getting married, getting jobs and having a family and income before the age of 25. I think there are so many factors in why marriage is delayed that we can't say its because people have no desire for marriage. But, this stage of emerging adulthood is meant for exploration as individuals explore with school, relationships and careers. It is a time where they are not classified as an adult but they are no longer a teenager. This is why it is called emerging adulthood. I like to call it the in-between stage.
The aim for emerging adults is to gain independence from their family economically and socially. They want to have their own place, own income and own family. The criteria for being a adult is no longer reaching these role transitions, but feeling independent. It is individualistic. I find it fascinating as I study about this developmental stage.
I think it is a good thing because we need to explore before we settle down. Sometimes jumping into families and careers may be good, but what if you have no idea what you want and need?
One criticism I have for this developmental stage is the fact that emerging adults want independence. Can you ever be fully independent? No. I will tell you why I think you can never be fully independent.
We are dependent beings. We need others to live, love, have income and be happy. In nearly every part of our life, we include others. We are not meant to be alone and completely independent. We need a employer, father, mother, friend and neighbor. You get the picture, right? So, we wait until we are independent before we settle down and become dependent. For instance, when we have our own family, we are dependent on our spouse for love and comfort. We will always be dependent on others for money. We can't grow our own money (unless you want to go to prison). Your employer is responsible for your paycheck.
My main question for emerging adults is simply: Why do you wait to become independent to settle down, when settling down you simply become dependent? Yes, you may be independent from your immediate family, but you will never be fully independent. That is impossible.
First of all, I am going to give you a background. The stage is relatively new. Arnett proposed this new stage in 1990 and research is still coming out about it. It is between the ages of 18-25. Before individuals were getting married, getting jobs and having a family and income before the age of 25. I think there are so many factors in why marriage is delayed that we can't say its because people have no desire for marriage. But, this stage of emerging adulthood is meant for exploration as individuals explore with school, relationships and careers. It is a time where they are not classified as an adult but they are no longer a teenager. This is why it is called emerging adulthood. I like to call it the in-between stage.
The aim for emerging adults is to gain independence from their family economically and socially. They want to have their own place, own income and own family. The criteria for being a adult is no longer reaching these role transitions, but feeling independent. It is individualistic. I find it fascinating as I study about this developmental stage.
I think it is a good thing because we need to explore before we settle down. Sometimes jumping into families and careers may be good, but what if you have no idea what you want and need?
One criticism I have for this developmental stage is the fact that emerging adults want independence. Can you ever be fully independent? No. I will tell you why I think you can never be fully independent.
We are dependent beings. We need others to live, love, have income and be happy. In nearly every part of our life, we include others. We are not meant to be alone and completely independent. We need a employer, father, mother, friend and neighbor. You get the picture, right? So, we wait until we are independent before we settle down and become dependent. For instance, when we have our own family, we are dependent on our spouse for love and comfort. We will always be dependent on others for money. We can't grow our own money (unless you want to go to prison). Your employer is responsible for your paycheck.
My main question for emerging adults is simply: Why do you wait to become independent to settle down, when settling down you simply become dependent? Yes, you may be independent from your immediate family, but you will never be fully independent. That is impossible.
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteEach day I search the web for content related to emerging adulthood and millennials. My production company is in the final stages of a feature-length documentary, "Nameless: Revealing a Generation." We've conducted more than 50 interviews across the country, including an interview with a fellow student of yours at BYU. (Do you know Sean Fisher?) I'm interested to know if you'd like to blog on our website at http://nameless-the-movie.com - reach me via the contact form on the site if you are interested. Good luck with your studies and your work! - James Wolfensberger