1. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach Chapter 14 Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood in the 21 st Century Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

2. Chapter Overview Prospects for adolescence and emerging adulthood in the 21 st century in six regions of the world Prospects for adolescence and emerging adulthood in the 21 st century in six regions of the world Sub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa & The Middle EastNorthern Africa & The Middle East IndiaIndia AsiaAsia Latin AmericaLatin America The WestThe West Future of globalization Future of globalization Disparities of wealth and opportunity Disparities of wealth and opportunity Increasing cultural gap within countries between urban and rural areas Increasing cultural gap within countries between urban and rural areas

3. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Sub-Saharan Africa As the 21 st century begins it is plagued by numerous serious problems including chronic poverty, war and an epidemic of HIV/AIDS As the 21 st century begins it is plagued by numerous serious problems including chronic poverty, war and an epidemic of HIV/AIDS Africa has been described as a “rich continent whose people are poor” Africa has been described as a “rich continent whose people are poor” Living standards in Africa have declined over the past 50 years and an increasing number of young people live in poverty Living standards in Africa have declined over the past 50 years and an increasing number of young people live in poverty War is also a frequent part of life for Africans War is also a frequent part of life for Africans The AIDS epidemic affect young people in three ways The AIDS epidemic affect young people in three ways 1.Many are forced into deeper poverty by their parents’ death 2.Young Africans will become AIDS victims themselves 3.They will be required to assume leadership of their families

4. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Northern Africa & The Middle East The Muslim religion is the predominant influence on all aspects of cultural life The Muslim religion is the predominant influence on all aspects of cultural life Three key issues face young people of this region in the 21 st century: Three key issues face young people of this region in the 21 st century: 1.Strength of Islam This strength varies from countries with strict adherence (Kuwait) to countries with a semblance of democracy (Morocco) This strength varies from countries with strict adherence (Kuwait) to countries with a semblance of democracy (Morocco) 2.Patriarchal family relationships The father’s authority in the family is to be obeyed unquestioningly The father’s authority in the family is to be obeyed unquestioningly 3.Position of women Have a long tradition of keeping tight control over women’s appearance and behaviour Have a long tradition of keeping tight control over women’s appearance and behaviour

5. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.India The main issues facing young people in India will be : The main issues facing young people in India will be : 1.School versus work One of the few countries that does not have compulsory education and therefore many young people are illiterate (especially girls in rural areas) One of the few countries that does not have compulsory education and therefore many young people are illiterate (especially girls in rural areas) 2.The tradition of early arranged marriages In the past children were often married before reaching puberty, and even now about half of India’s young people marry in their teens In the past children were often married before reaching puberty, and even now about half of India’s young people marry in their teens 3.Caste system People are believed to be born into a particular caste based on their moral and spiritual conduct in their previous life – this system determines a person’s status in Indian society People are believed to be born into a particular caste based on their moral and spiritual conduct in their previous life – this system determines a person’s status in Indian society 4.Rights of women Has a long traditional of holding women to be of inferior status from birth onward Has a long traditional of holding women to be of inferior status from birth onward

6. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.Asia Some of the major issues affecting young people are: Some of the major issues affecting young people are: 1.The tradition of filial piety This means that children are expected to respect, obey, and revere their parents (especially the father) This means that children are expected to respect, obey, and revere their parents (especially the father) 2.Arranged marriages and dating Parents choose a mate for their children Parents choose a mate for their children This remains a strong tradition even in cultures that have become highly industrialized This remains a strong tradition even in cultures that have become highly industrialized 3.Intense pressure at the secondary school level The Confucian tradition places strong emphasis on education – this leads to high pressure in school The Confucian tradition places strong emphasis on education – this leads to high pressure in school 4.Rights of women Females have fewer rights and opportunities than males Females have fewer rights and opportunities than males

7. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Latin America Two key issues for young people are: Two key issues for young people are: 1.Political stability Sources of instability include military coups followed by military dictatorships, communist revolutions and civil wars between communist and anticommunist forces Sources of instability include military coups followed by military dictatorships, communist revolutions and civil wars between communist and anticommunist forces 2.Economic growth Despite having great natural resources, the countries of Latin America have not prospered economically Despite having great natural resources, the countries of Latin America have not prospered economically Unemployment among adults is high and unemployment among young people is even higher Unemployment among adults is high and unemployment among young people is even higher

8. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved. The West The principal issues for young people in the West are: The principal issues for young people in the West are: 1.Education Educational opportunities are not evenly distributed in most Western Countries Educational opportunities are not evenly distributed in most Western Countries Some argue that Western countries produce far more college graduates than the economy really need Some argue that Western countries produce far more college graduates than the economy really need 2.Unemployment Unemployment among the young is a serious problem in the U.S. and most European countries Unemployment among the young is a serious problem in the U.S. and most European countries 3.Immigrants Most countries have been tolerant and accepting of immigration – however when anti-immigrant acts do occur they tend to be committed by groups of young working-class men in their late teens and early twenties Most countries have been tolerant and accepting of immigration – however when anti-immigrant acts do occur they tend to be committed by groups of young working-class men in their late teens and early twenties 4.Risk behavior Young people in the West are more likely to engage in behavior that holds risks for their health (e.g., automobile fatalities, homicide and suicide) Young people in the West are more likely to engage in behavior that holds risks for their health (e.g., automobile fatalities, homicide and suicide)

9. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Equality of Wealth & Opportunity Young people in middle class and above in the majority cultures of industrialized countries have many advantages Young people in middle class and above in the majority cultures of industrialized countries have many advantages At the other extreme are the vast majority of young people who are growing up in extremely desperate conditions without even the most basic health care and nutrition At the other extreme are the vast majority of young people who are growing up in extremely desperate conditions without even the most basic health care and nutrition Will the availability of resources for young people continue to be highly unequal in the 21st century?

10. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved. The Urban-Rural Split Urban Pros Pros Greater access to education and health careGreater access to education and health care Cons Cons More likely to be subject to exploitation by adults in prostitution and industrial laborMore likely to be subject to exploitation by adults in prostitution and industrial laborRural Pros Pros Less likely to attend school Cons Cons More likely to have the support and care of a stable extended family