The Five Features of Emerging Adulthood

Age of Identity Explorations-- the period when people are most likely to be exploring various possibilities for their lives in a variety of areas, especially in the areas of love and work, as a prelude to making the enduring choices that will set the foundation for their adult live; a period of self-exploration where emerging adults clarify their identities and learn more about who they are and what they want out of life.

• Age of Instability---this is a period of instability because it is marked by frequent changes of direction with respect to love, work, and education; residential changes peak

• Self-focused stage--different from self-centered (selfish); emerging adults have little social obligations, duties and commitments to others, which leaves them with a greeat deal of autonomy in running thier lives; don't have longterm commitments and have more freedom to be introspective

• Age of In-Between---emerging adults feel in-between, as if they are emerging into adulthood but not there yet; neither adolescent nor adult. Three indicators in transition to adulthood include:

• accept responsibility for yourself

• Make independent decisions

• Become financially independent

• Age of Possibilities

• emerging adulthood is a time of great optimism, of high hopes for the future. High hopes are cheap because they have not yet been firmly tested against reality.

• This period represents a crucial opportunity for young people who have experienced difficult conditions in their family lives to move away from home and to steer thier lives in a different and more favorable direction before they enter the commitments in love and work that structure adult life.

• gives emerging adults the opportunity to transform their lives, to free themselves from an unhealthy family environment, and to turn their lives in a new and better direction.