Chapter 14 Emotional and Social Development in Early Adulthood Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Emerging Adulthood Explore alternatives in: Education Work Personal values and behavior Routes to adult responsibility vary in: Timing Order Develop a more complex self-concept Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © mimagephotography/Shutterstock

Identity Development in Emerging Adulthood Explore in breadth and depth Depth: higher in self-esteem, well-being, adjustment Too much breadth: poor adjustment, anxiety, depression, deviant behavior Dual-cycle model Fluctuating between making new commitments and evaluating old ones Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Zurijeta/Shutterstock

Religion in Emerging Adulthood Religious practice falls in late teens and twenties: 1 in 4 U.S. 18- to 29-year-olds unaffiliated with a particular faith Religion remains more important to U.S. young people than in other developed nations Many construct individualized faith, weaving together diverse traditions Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Religiosity Among Cohorts of U.S. 18- to 29-Year-Olds Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Figure 14.1 U.S. 18‐ to 29‐year‐olds’ religiosity across generations Figure 14.1 (Adapted from Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 2010.)

Worldview in Emerging Adulthood “Generation me” controversy: Is there increased narcissism and materialism? Cohort evidence questions these claims Involvement in volunteerism, community service Voter turnout Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © michaeljung/Shutterstock

Cultural Change, Cultural Variation, and Emerging Adulthood Entry-level positions require more education Wealth, longevity free young people from immediate entry to work force Emerging adulthood largely limited to: Middle- and high SES in industrialized nations Wealthy, privileged few in developing countries Some researchers question whether emerging adulthood is a distinct period Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Fostering Success in Emerging Adulthood Resilience Cognitive attributes Emotional attributes Social attributes Social support Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Andresr/Shutterstock

Erikson’s Theory: Intimacy versus Isolation Making a permanent commitment to intimate partner Redefining identity Secure identity associated with fidelity Isolation Loneliness, self-absorption State of searching Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © AVAVA/Shutterstock

Levinson’s Seasons of Life Early adult transition Dream Women have “split dreams” Mentor “Age-30 transition” Men “settle down” Women remain unsettled Occupational or relationship commitments Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © dotshock/Shutterstock

Vailiant’s Adaptation to Life in Men Intimacy concerns 30s Career consolidation 40s Generativity 50s and 60s “Keepers of meaning” 70s Spirituality and reflection Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk The Social Clock Age-graded expectations for life events Less rigid than in earlier generations Following a social clock lends confidence, contributes to social stability Distress if not following or falling behind Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © chaoss/Shutterstock

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Selecting a Mate Most select partners similar to themselves Gender differences: Women: intelligence, ambition, financial status, and moral character Men: attractiveness and domestic skills Evolutionary perspective Social learning view Higher value placed on attributes that contribute to relationship satisfaction Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © arek_malang/Shutterstock

Childhood Attachment Patterns and Adult Romantic Relationships Attachment History Working Model Adult Relationships Secure Comfortable with intimacy; unafraid of abandonment Trust, happiness, friendship Avoidant Emphasize independence, mistrust, anxiety about closeness Jealousy, emotional distance, little physical pleasure, unrealistic beliefs Resistant Seek quick love, complete merging Jealousy, desperation, emotional highs and lows Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Triangular Theory of Love Intimacy: warm, tender concern Passionate love: sexual attraction Companionate love: affection and caregiving Passionate love early, companionate love later Passion gradually fades, while intimacy and commitment strengthen Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock

Friendships in Early Adulthood Are usually similar in age, sex, SES, interests Enhance self-esteem, make life more interesting Trust, intimacy, loyalty continue to be important Contributions of social media Siblings as friends Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Adam Gregor/Shutterstock

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Gender and Friendship Same-Sex Friendships Gender differences: women’s more intimate Individual differences: longer friendships more intimate Other-Sex Friendships Fewer than same-sex friendships Educated, employed women have largest number Benefits to both genders: Men: opportunity for emotional expressiveness Women: objective points of view Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Family Life Cycle Early adulthood: Leaving home Joining of families in marriage Parenthood Middle adulthood: Launching children Late adulthood: Retirement Death of spouse Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Leaving Home Average age of leaving increased over last 50 years Financial dependence is a factor More than 50% leave, then return briefly Culture, SES, ethnicity affect ability to leave, interest in leaving Parents highly committed to helping young people move into adult roles Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Trends in Marriage Marrying later 70% marry at least once Fewer marriages Staying single, cohabiting, not remarrying after divorce Trend toward legalization of same-sex marriage Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Pitcha Torranin/Shutterstock

Traditional and Egalitarian Marriages Clear division of roles Woman: cares for husband, children, home Man: head of household; responsible for economic well-being Egalitarian Partners as equals Share power, authority Balance in attention to jobs, children, home, spouse Most well-educated women expect this form of marriage Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Gender and Housework Hours Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Figure 14.3 Women’s and men’s housework hours by women’s employment for couples in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States Figure 14.2 (From L. P. Cooke, 2010, “The Politics of Housework,” in J. Treas & S. Drobnic, [Eds.], Dividing the Domestic: Men, Women, and Household Work in Cross‐National Perspective, p. 70. Copyright © 2010 by the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University. Adapted with the permission of Stanford University Press, www.sup.org.)

Factors Related to Marital Satisfaction Family backgrounds Age at marriage Timing of first pregnancy Relationship to extended family Marital patterns in extended family Financial and employment status Family responsibilities Personality characteristics Positive biases of partner’s attributes Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Partner Abuse Committed by both men and women, but women more likely to be seriously injured Violence–remorse cycles common, related to: Personality Developmental history Family circumstances Culture Existing treatments not very effective; need whole-family approach, services for men Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Assaults by Intimate Partners Against Women Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Figure 14.4 Assaults by intimate partners against women in seven nations Figure 14.3 (From Kaya & Cook, 2010; World Health Organization, 2000, 2005.)

Trends in Having Children In United States, fewer married couples have children (70%) Delay having first child Decline in family size: U.S. average of 2.1 children per woman Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Rob Marmion/Shutterstock

Transition to Parenthood Parental roles Often become more traditional with first birth With second birth, pull back from traditional roles Typically mild decline in relationship satisfaction; sharing caregiving predicts happiness Later parenthood eases transition Attainment of occupational goals More life experience Stronger relationship Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Singlehood Increasing: 8%–10% remain single for life Gender differences: Women more likely to stay single More well-educated women, uneducated men single after age 30 Ethnic differences: African Americans single longer Stressful periods: Late twenties Mid-thirties for women Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Cohabitation Increase in unmarried, sexually intimate couples living together Preparation for marriage vs. alternative to marriage: In Western Europe, cohabiters nearly as committed as married people U.S. couples who cohabit before engagement more likely to divorce Homosexual cohabiters report strong relationship commitment Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Childlessness Involuntary No parenthood partner Infertile May be dissatisfied Voluntary Usually college-educated and committed to prestigious jobs About 20% of women Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Divorce Rates Stabilized since 1980s In United States, about 45% Most common times: first seven years, midlife Young children and adolescents involved Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Yuriy Rudyy/Shutterstock

Consequences of Divorce Major change in life and self-image Opportunities for positive and negative outcomes Immediate consequences generally subside in two years Disrupted social networks Decline in social support Increased anxiety, depression, impulsivity Traditional women and noncustodial fathers may have more problems New partner enhances life satisfaction More crucial for men Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Remarriage After Divorce Most remarry within four years of divorce Men sooner than women Vulnerable to breakup: Too focused on practical matters Carry over negative interaction patterns More likely to view divorce as acceptable resolution Stepfamily stress Takes three to five years to blend new family Education, couples/family counseling can help Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk Stepparents Stepmothers experience more parent–child conflict Stepfathers with children establish positive bonds faster Relationship quality varies widely Higher divorce rate for remarried couples with stepchildren Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk

Never-Married Single Parents Affects about 11% of U.S. children Predominantly African-American women: reliance on extended family Increased financial hardship for low-SES women Paternal involvement Reliability of biological father Stepfather–stepchild relationships Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © H. Tuller/Shutterstock

Gay and Lesbian Parents 20%–35% of lesbians, 5%–15% of gay men Children of heterosexual past relationships, adoption, or assisted reproduction Children do not differ from peers cognitively or socially May build “families of choice” Stigma is a major concern Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Dubova/Shutterstock

Career Development in Early Adulthood Disappointment near start of career is common National economy affects career paths Many job changes in twenties Adjust expectations to opportunities to advance Effective mentors enhance adjustment and success Exploring Lifespan Development Third Edition  Laura E. Berk © Odua Images/Shutterstock