Human Development Early Adulthood

The Era of Young Adulthood Greatest energy Abundance of greatest contradiction & stress Peak of physical development in the 20s and 30s Willing to work to maintain physical condition

The Era of Young Adulthood Finding one’s niche Working through one’s ambitions Raising a family Right choice of career Finding the right job Choice of mate and family

Physical growth Explosive strength; gross body coordination peak early in the 20’s and then decline Endurance (arm-hand steadiness) also peak and then decline

Physical growth Declines in touch sensitivity, respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune system functioning Metabolism declines; gradual weight gain begins and continues through middle adulthood Sexual activity increases

Mental growth Narrows vocational options and settles on a specific career Focuses on application of knowledge to everyday life Develops expertise Creativity increases and peaks

Social growth--Erikson Intimacy vs isolation Results: Capacity for closeness & commitment to another OR Feeling of aloneness, separation; denial or need for closeness

Social growth Search for partners in: Friendship (mentor) Sex (spouse) Competition Cooperation

High Low China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Taiwan, Pakistan Ireland, Japan Sweden, Finland, Norway, Holland, West Germany

Parenthood? Few couples have a realistic idea about having children Parenting is demanding Parenting is getting less and less popular Evidence exists that not having children leads to a decline in well-being later in life.

Marriage Life Cycle Couples with Children Married, no kids Pre- schoolers Primary & second. kids College age kids The Empty Nest

Family Issues Resolving gender differences Understanding male/female differences

Family Issues Core-role responsibility Servant-leader/ Helper-homemaker

Family Issues Response needed from mate Submission & Honor & praise

Master Key to Family Issues

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV

Challenges of Young Adulthood Choice of a mate Choice of a career Choice of setting up a family Building relationships

Eccl 9:7-10 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. NIV Words of Wisdom