Psychology

Select one of the five characteristics of emerging adulthood outlined in your textbook: (1) the age of identity explorations; (2) the age of instability; (3) the self-focused age; (4) the age of feeling in-between; and (5) the age of possibilities.

What examples from your own observations and/or experiences can you provide to support the notion that the characteristic you selected is a typical aspect of emerging adulthood? Can you provide any examples that suggest the characteristic is NOT so typical? Are there any characteristics that you would add to our current conceptualization of emerging adulthood? Explain.

text book link
https://3lib.net/book/5819284/cf85c0

ANSWER

Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood is considered a new life stage between young adulthood and adolescence, lasting between 18 and 25 years (Arnett, Chapin, and Brownlow, 2018). Ideally, individuals between these ages have left the comparative dependency of childhood but have not yet taken full accountabilities of adulthood. Therefore, the period of emerging adulthood is when varying reactions are promising, and the possibility of free investigation of life opportunities is higher for many individuals.

One of the major features of emerging adulthood is the age of possibilities. The age of possibilities is when varying futures and potentials are possible and an individual’s direction in life has been determined (Arnett, Chapin, and Brownlow, 2018). During this period, young adults have good chances to have better lives than their parents. 18 and 25 years is a time for experiencing and exploring life before an individual becomes more responsible to work and family.

The age of possibilities is an age of high hopes and greater expectations since only a few dreams have been tested in real life. This is a period of optimism where individuals feel that they will get to where they want to be in life someday (Arnett, Chapin, and Brownlow, 2018). For instance, individuals tend to encounter varying possibilities in work and love at this age as they move towards making life choices. Through trying our different possibilities, it’s easier to believe that one will eventually find a soul mate and get into a happy relationship.

Ideally, the age of possibilities is not a typical aspect of emerging adulthood. When an individual reaches legal adult status, some abundant opportunities and benefits are associated with the legal age. At this age, the physical performance and strength reach their peak, which increases possibilities and opportunities. For instance, young people are now more educated at the age of possibilities, thus experiencing more unparalleled opportunities that transform their lives.

Wisdom and meaning are essential characteristics in emerging adulthood and criteria of becoming an adult. These are effective in understanding the purpose of life and development through early adulthood. Wisdom and meaning are essential in emotional transformation and exploration as emerging adults engage in a wide range of activities during the transition period.

References

Arnett, J., Chapin, L., & Brownlow, C. (2018). Human development: A cultural approach. Pearson Australia.