Jeffrey Arnett, "Emerging Adulthood"
1. According to psychologist Jeffrey Arnett, what is "Emerging
Adulthood"?: Psychologist Jeffrey Arnett suggested that the 20s are a distinct life
stage which he calls "emerging adulthood"
2. Within Erikson's model, where would this stage fit?: Within Erikson's
model, this stage would fit between adolescence and young adulthood
3. What does the Emerging Adulthood stage involve?: This stage involves
identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and a "sense o
possibilities" 4. What was stable adulthood like in the past?: 21-23 years old
finish your education, married, and new parents
5. What is the negative stereotype of emerging adulthood?: Stereotype ’
Lazy, living with parents
6. Why does this negative stereotype about emerging adulthood exist?:
Measures by out-dated standards made 30-50 years ago
7. According to Arnett, why is this negative stereotype about emerging
adulthood false?: Emerging adults are working hard at low-paying jobs therefore
won't hit adult milestones until later in life
8. What reasons does Arnett give for the existence of the "Emerging
Adulthood" stage?: Economy has changed ’ jobs take longer to prepare for
(manufacturing to an information and technology economy)
Premarital sex and cohabitation are social norms (industrial countries)
Ambivalence to commit to adult structure ’ want to explore in their 20s
9. Why are young people more ambivalent about adulthood today than
they were 50 years ago?: In the 50s and 60s adulthood was considered an
achievement because during post-war, adulthood = stability and security. Now ’
young adults view their parents as stagnating; they want to have new experiences
in their 20s
10. How has the role of parenting contributed to this new life stage?:
Helicopter parents ’ manage older children and don't allow independence
Parents encourage kids to dream and aim high ’ as a result, kids have high
expectations and won't settle into steady work for a long time
1. According to psychologist Jeffrey Arnett, what is "Emerging
Adulthood"?: Psychologist Jeffrey Arnett suggested that the 20s are a distinct life
stage which he calls "emerging adulthood"
2. Within Erikson's model, where would this stage fit?: Within Erikson's
model, this stage would fit between adolescence and young adulthood
3. What does the Emerging Adulthood stage involve?: This stage involves
identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and a "sense o
possibilities" 4. What was stable adulthood like in the past?: 21-23 years old
finish your education, married, and new parents
5. What is the negative stereotype of emerging adulthood?: Stereotype ’
Lazy, living with parents
6. Why does this negative stereotype about emerging adulthood exist?:
Measures by out-dated standards made 30-50 years ago
7. According to Arnett, why is this negative stereotype about emerging
adulthood false?: Emerging adults are working hard at low-paying jobs therefore
won't hit adult milestones until later in life
8. What reasons does Arnett give for the existence of the "Emerging
Adulthood" stage?: Economy has changed ’ jobs take longer to prepare for
(manufacturing to an information and technology economy)
Premarital sex and cohabitation are social norms (industrial countries)
Ambivalence to commit to adult structure ’ want to explore in their 20s
9. Why are young people more ambivalent about adulthood today than
they were 50 years ago?: In the 50s and 60s adulthood was considered an
achievement because during post-war, adulthood = stability and security. Now ’
young adults view their parents as stagnating; they want to have new experiences
in their 20s
10. How has the role of parenting contributed to this new life stage?:
Helicopter parents ’ manage older children and don't allow independence
Parents encourage kids to dream and aim high ’ as a result, kids have high
expectations and won't settle into steady work for a long time
