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Questions and Answers
What age range does emerging adulthood encompass?
What age range does emerging adulthood encompass?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five features of emerging adulthood?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five features of emerging adulthood?
How is emerging adulthood characterized in Asian industrialized countries?
How is emerging adulthood characterized in Asian industrialized countries?
In which context is emerging adulthood expected to grow in the 21st century?
In which context is emerging adulthood expected to grow in the 21st century?
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Which factor primarily contributes to the length of the emerging adulthood stage in Europe compared to other regions?
Which factor primarily contributes to the length of the emerging adulthood stage in Europe compared to other regions?
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What significant trend distinguishes emerging adulthood in industrialized countries?
What significant trend distinguishes emerging adulthood in industrialized countries?
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Which phrase best summarizes the sense of possibilities experienced during emerging adulthood?
Which phrase best summarizes the sense of possibilities experienced during emerging adulthood?
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Which demographic is most likely to experience emerging adulthood?
Which demographic is most likely to experience emerging adulthood?
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What is one of the key characteristics of emerging adulthood?
What is one of the key characteristics of emerging adulthood?
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What percentage of young people in the United States pursue education beyond secondary school?
What percentage of young people in the United States pursue education beyond secondary school?
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What trend has been observed in the median age of marriage in the United States?
What trend has been observed in the median age of marriage in the United States?
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Which of the following best describes the age of instability in emerging adulthood?
Which of the following best describes the age of instability in emerging adulthood?
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Before the emergence of this new life stage, when did young people traditionally enter stable adult roles?
Before the emergence of this new life stage, when did young people traditionally enter stable adult roles?
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How does emerging adulthood differ from adolescence in terms of identity exploration?
How does emerging adulthood differ from adolescence in terms of identity exploration?
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Which age range defines emerging adulthood?
Which age range defines emerging adulthood?
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What is a common experience among emerging adults regarding living arrangements?
What is a common experience among emerging adults regarding living arrangements?
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What term best captures the feeling of being neither fully adolescent nor fully adult experienced by many emerging adults?
What term best captures the feeling of being neither fully adolescent nor fully adult experienced by many emerging adults?
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During emerging adulthood, what is emphasized as a significant focus for individuals?
During emerging adulthood, what is emphasized as a significant focus for individuals?
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What does the self-focused age of emerging adulthood refer to?
What does the self-focused age of emerging adulthood refer to?
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How has the role of women in the workforce changed in the context of emerging adulthood?
How has the role of women in the workforce changed in the context of emerging adulthood?
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What illustrates the significant job instability during emerging adulthood?
What illustrates the significant job instability during emerging adulthood?
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What did Erik Erikson propose about identity issues that has evolved over time?
What did Erik Erikson propose about identity issues that has evolved over time?
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What characteristic of emerging adulthood is highlighted by a national survey of 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States?
What characteristic of emerging adulthood is highlighted by a national survey of 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States?
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Which population group was primarily studied to develop the theory of emerging adulthood?
Which population group was primarily studied to develop the theory of emerging adulthood?
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What is a key factor that differentiates the experience of emerging adults in Asian cultures from those in Western cultures?
What is a key factor that differentiates the experience of emerging adults in Asian cultures from those in Western cultures?
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How do the median ages for entering marriage and parenthood compare between European and Asian emerging adults?
How do the median ages for entering marriage and parenthood compare between European and Asian emerging adults?
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What is a significant characteristic of the lifestyle of emerging adults in Europe?
What is a significant characteristic of the lifestyle of emerging adults in Europe?
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Which statement best describes the economic support systems in many OECD countries?
Which statement best describes the economic support systems in many OECD countries?
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What are some common characteristics of emerging adulthood as observed in non-industrialized countries?
What are some common characteristics of emerging adulthood as observed in non-industrialized countries?
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How has globalization affected emerging adulthood in Asian cultures?
How has globalization affected emerging adulthood in Asian cultures?
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What is a notable contrast between Western and Asian emerging adults regarding premarital sex?
What is a notable contrast between Western and Asian emerging adults regarding premarital sex?
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What role do government policies play in the experience of emerging adulthood in OECD countries?
What role do government policies play in the experience of emerging adulthood in OECD countries?
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What distinguishes the shared cultural histories of emerging adults in Japan and South Korea from those in many Western countries?
What distinguishes the shared cultural histories of emerging adults in Japan and South Korea from those in many Western countries?
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What is a trend observed among emerging adults across various OECD countries?
What is a trend observed among emerging adults across various OECD countries?
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In terms of self-exploration, how do emerging adults in Europe engage compared to their Asian counterparts?
In terms of self-exploration, how do emerging adults in Europe engage compared to their Asian counterparts?
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What is a consequence of the generous social welfare systems in many European countries on emerging adults?
What is a consequence of the generous social welfare systems in many European countries on emerging adults?
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In which regions is cohabitation most commonly accepted prior to marriage?
In which regions is cohabitation most commonly accepted prior to marriage?
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What has been observed about premarital sexual relations among emerging adults in the United States compared to Japan?
What has been observed about premarital sexual relations among emerging adults in the United States compared to Japan?
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What does the gross enrollment ratio indicate?
What does the gross enrollment ratio indicate?
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Which statement accurately describes emerging adulthood in non-industrialized countries?
Which statement accurately describes emerging adulthood in non-industrialized countries?
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What is one potential advantage of the delayed transition to adulthood for emerging adults?
What is one potential advantage of the delayed transition to adulthood for emerging adults?
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Which region is least likely to support premarital sex and cohabitation?
Which region is least likely to support premarital sex and cohabitation?
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How has the median age for entering marriage changed in recent decades?
How has the median age for entering marriage changed in recent decades?
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What impact has globalization likely had on emerging adulthood?
What impact has globalization likely had on emerging adulthood?
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What is a significant issue faced by many emerging adults?
What is a significant issue faced by many emerging adults?
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What is a proposed solution to help emerging adults transition successfully to adulthood?
What is a proposed solution to help emerging adults transition successfully to adulthood?
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What was one finding of Saraswathi and Larson regarding the experiences of youth?
What was one finding of Saraswathi and Larson regarding the experiences of youth?
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In which country are rates of higher education enrollment significantly lower?
In which country are rates of higher education enrollment significantly lower?
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What is the primary reason for the increasing age of marriage and parenthood in developed countries?
What is the primary reason for the increasing age of marriage and parenthood in developed countries?
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Study Notes
Emerging Adulthood: A New Life Stage
- Emerging adulthood is a new life stage, roughly ages 18-25, between adolescence and young adulthood, primarily in industrialized countries.
- This stage is distinct due to five key features: identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between adolescence and adulthood, and a sense of broad possibilities for the future.
Origin and Prevalence of Emerging Adulthood
- Emerging adulthood emerged in industrialized countries over the past 50 years, as young people increasingly pursue tertiary education, delay marriage and parenthood, and experience higher job instability.
- Median marriage and parenthood ages are now in their late twenties or thirties in many countries, contrasted with earlier times.
- A significant percentage—around 70% in the U.S.—of young people pursue education beyond secondary school, leading to a phase of exploration rather than immediate entry into adult roles.
Five Distinctive Features
- Identity exploration: Exploring love, work, and other possibilities to develop a clear sense of self. Identity exploration now often takes place during emerging adulthood rather than solely during adolescence.
- Instability: Characterized by frequent changes in residence, relationship status, and employment due to exploration. This includes moving to attend college, living independently, cohabiting, or moving back in with parents.
- Self-focus: Emerging adults prioritize personal growth and development, making independent decisions before long-term adult commitments. This period is a transition between adolescent dependence and adult responsibilities.
- Feeling in-between: The feeling of being neither an adolescent nor a fully-fledged adult; described often as “in some ways yes, in some ways no.”. This feeling is common across many countries.
- Feeling of Possibilities: This stage is marked by high hopes and optimism due to the many future paths available and limited real-world experiences.
International Variations
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OECD Countries (Industrialized):
- Europe: Emerging adulthood lasts longest here, with delayed marriage and parenthood typical and enhanced social welfare systems.
- Asia: Emerging adulthood is present but constrained by traditional collectivist cultural values, family obligations, and differing views on premarital sex and cohabitation.
- Non-Industrialized Countries: Growing, but still less prevalent than in industrialized nations. Currently, it is largely restricted to the middle-class elite; however, the trend is expected to expand as economies develop.
- Differences in societal values and support systems significantly influence the experience of emerging adulthood across the world.
The Importance of Tertiary Education
- Expansion Needed: Tertiary education systems in both developed and developing countries need to adapt to the changing needs of emerging adults.
- Affordability: The cost of tertiary education is a critical factor, especially in countries like the U.S.
- Investment in Education: Making tertiary education accessible and affordable throughout the world is crucial for preparing young people for the future job market in a technologically-driven economy.
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Description
Explore the concept of emerging adulthood, a unique life stage between ages 18-25 that features identity exploration, instability, and self-focus. Discover its origins, prevalence in industrialized countries, and its five key characteristics. This quiz will help you understand how societal changes affect this transitional period.
