Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Infants, Children, and Adolescents Chapter 17 Emerging Adulthood

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Do You Feel You Have Reached Adulthood? Figure 17.1

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Areas of Exploration in Emerging Adulthood EducationRomanceCareerResidencePoliticsReligion © Tian Jiang | Dreamstime.comTian JiangDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Postponing Marriage  In 1950, the average age of first marriage was about 20 for women and 23 for men.  Currently, the comparable ages are 26 and 28 in the United States. © Ron Chapple Studios | Dreamstime.comRon Chapple StudiosDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Returning Home  More than half of 18- to 25-year- olds return to their parents’ home for a brief period after leaving.  The end of college, job transitions, or failures in work or love can bring young people home.  Lower-SES and ethnic minority emerging adults are more likely to live with parents.  The longer bridge between adolescence and adulthood is an emerging cultural construction. © David Gilder | Dreamstime.comDavid GilderDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cultural Change and Emerging Adulthood Developed economies: Longer education needed, so longer emerging adulthood Longer education needed, so longer emerging adulthood About half of all early-twenties population in school About half of all early-twenties population in school Delays in financial independence and career commitment Delays in financial independence and career commitment Dramatic gains in life expectancy Dramatic gains in life expectancy Young people in traditional, non-Western countries do not experience emerging adulthood. Enter marriage, parenthood, and lifelong work early Enter marriage, parenthood, and lifelong work early Low-SES young people in Western nations may not experience emerging adulthood, either. “Floundering period” common “Floundering period” common

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Emerging Adulthood: A Distinct Developmental Period? Critics say no: No distinct moment of adult status No distinct moment of adult status Emerging adulthood period not typical of majority of world’s youths Emerging adulthood period not typical of majority of world’s youths Primarily a coping mechanism for those not ready for independence Primarily a coping mechanism for those not ready for independence Proponents say yes: Applies to most in industrialized nations Applies to most in industrialized nations Spreading to some developing nations Spreading to some developing nations Early twenties differs from other adult periods of life. Early twenties differs from other adult periods of life.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Postformal Thought Important advances in thinking follow the attainment of formal operations. College students make impressive strides. College students make impressive strides. College as “developmental testing ground” “Culture shock” “Culture shock” Exposure to many viewpoints Exposure to many viewpoints Social experiences combine with personal effort to spark new ways of thinking. Social experiences combine with personal effort to spark new ways of thinking.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Development of Epistemic Cognition William Perry Our reflections on how we arrived at facts, beliefs, and ideas Our reflections on how we arrived at facts, beliefs, and ideas Dualistic thinking Relativistic thinking Commitment within relativistic thinking Importance of peer interaction and reflection Importance of peer interaction and reflection

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Emotional and Social Changes  Advances in identity development  Breadth and depth  Many aspects of life course that were once socially structured are now left up to individuals to decide, a process that requires self-efficacy, purpose, and confidence in overcoming obstacles.  Personal agency © Jeff Cleveland | Dreamstime.comJeff ClevelandDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Love in Emerging Adulthood Erikson – intimacy a major task Intimacy helped by: Partner similarity Partner similarity Good communication Good communication Secure internal working model Secure internal working model of attachment About half of young U.S. couples cohabit. Societal attitudes in United States not as positive as in Europe. Societal attitudes in United States not as positive as in Europe. © Ron Chapple Studios | Dreamstime.comRon Chapple StudiosDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Work in Emerging Adulthood Preparation for adult work Internships, apprenticeships, college majors Internships, apprenticeships, college majorsMentors Levinson – “dream” stage Men: career-focused Men: career-focused Women: split dreams Women: split dreams © Serrnovik | Dreamstime.comSerrnovikDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gender in Emerging Adulthood During college, women’s career ambitions often decline because of questions about ability or combining work with parenthood. Women who achieve share these experiences: College environment that values the achievement of women College environment that values the achievement of women Frequent interaction with faculty and professionals in their field Frequent interaction with faculty and professionals in their field Opportunity to test abilities in supportive extracurricular, internship, and work environments Opportunity to test abilities in supportive extracurricular, internship, and work environments Models of accomplished women who have successfully dealt with family – career role conflict Models of accomplished women who have successfully dealt with family – career role conflict

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ethnic Minorities in Emerging Adulthood Self-confidence and academic preparedness issues may affect low-SES individuals.  Greater risk for dropping out of college  Lower graduation rates  Lower career opportunities Outreach programs for high-risk students increase retention. Racial bias in career opportunities remains strong. Ethnic minority women must overcome combined gender and racial discrimination to realize their career potential.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Relationship of Ethnicity of Job Applicant’s Name to Employer Callback Figure 17.2

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Worldviews Civic and political commitments Those who expect to volunteer increasing Those who expect to volunteer increasing Fewer plan to participate in politics Fewer plan to participate in politics Religion and spirituality Lowest levels of religious participation Lowest levels of religious participation © Yudaman | Dreamstime.comYudamanDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. U.S. First-Year College Students’ Expectations of Participating in Community Service Figure 17.3

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Resources That Foster Resilience in Emerging Adulthood Cognitive attributes Emotional and social attributes Social supports Relationships with parents have an especially wide- ranging influence. Relationships with parents have an especially wide- ranging influence. School, family, and community environments important School, family, and community environments important © Ron Chapple Studios | Dreamstime.comRon Chapple StudiosDreamstime.com

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Loneliness over the Lifespan Figure 17.4