The Winding Road - There's Always Room For Beck240.

January 26, 2009 07:09 PM Emerging Adulthood.

For Adolescent Psychology, we were expected to read and comment on Jeffrey Jensen Arnett's article, "Emerging Adulthood: What Is It, And What IS It Good For?" Arnett lays claim to the entire concept of emerging adulthood, proclaiming that he was the originator of the term. That aside, he provides a broad sense of what the concept details and how we might categorize this grouping. Considering the modern world we live in, the creation of a label “emerging adulthood” probably serves a greater purpose than it would have a few generations back. With the advent of better technology, people are living longer; there isn’t a greater need being put on kids rushing off into marriage and starting families on their own. It’s also important to look at our society from a historical perspective; without a major armed conflict (such as the world wars), there is no dire need for people to settle down. Adolescents are thus afforded the opportunity to enter a phase where they can find their way. I agreed with Arnett that this could be a positive change; youth would be able to make choices that better fit their personalities.

I think the article also touched upon how the expectancy of society towards this group is changing: now obtaining a four-year degree is the norm; sometimes to stand out, a student might need to obtain additional schooling like double majors, masters degrees or graduating with honors. With the additional schooling comes a longer period of time between HS graduation and obtaining a job; however, with the competitive work environment, not doing so could be problematic. I think too broadly try to paint this age group as “lazy” or attempting to hold off on responsibilities might be unfair; there are just more responsibilities that they have to take on.

The article also mentioned that this was the age of “risky behavior and illegal drug use”, but I question the validity of this statement. First, this would be reference to what social group or cultural group? Can this be broadly applied to all emerging adolescents or to a specific target group that Arnett studied. Furthermore, in my experience working in a HS, most of these activities are already starting when students are in their teen years. Considering some of the local problems plagueing communities, I think these social “issues” are spillovers from issues that arose in adolescence, rather than specific to emerging adulthood.

To label someone an "emergent adult", there obviously has to be some distinction to what an adult is. I've held a job for the last four years, but I find that it's difficult at times to pay bills with my salary. Does this mean that I wasn't an emerging adult? My mother once had to move home to save money: does this mean she reverted back from being an adult? Does having a property or the ability to live on one's own make them an adult? The article quotes that many people move out in their early twenties, but seems to be including college in that equation. I find that funny... most of these individuals may be students, but it's not their money that is paying for tution or board. While they live on their own, it's with the understanding that they are not worrying about rent or paying for classes; jobs they have only pay the way for their books (Sometimes) or amenities. If living away from home cannot be considered to be apart of the equation, than what is? Paying one's own bills? Purchasing your first home? Signing your first lease? Owning something substansial like a car? What do you all think?

Posted by beck at 07:09 PM | Comments (0)