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Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties
Recently the lives of people from age 18 to 29 have changed so dramatically that a new stage of life has developed, emerging adulthood, that is distinct from both the adolescence that precedes it and the young adulthood that comes in its wake. Rather than marrying and becoming parents in their early twenties, most people in industrialized societies now postpone these transitions until at least their late twenties, and instead spend the time in self-focused exploration as they try out different possibilities in their careers and relationships.
In Emerging Adulthood, Jeffrey Jensen Arnett identifies and labels, for the first time, this period exploration, instability, possibility, self-focus, and a sustained sense of being in limbo. An increasing number of emerging adults emphasize having meaningful and satisfying work to a degree not seen in prior generations. Marrying later and exploring more casual sexual relationships have created different hopes and fears concerning long-term commitments and the differences between love and sex. Emerging adults also face the challenge of defending their non-traditional lifestyles to parents and others outside their generation who have made much more traditional choices. In contrast to previous portrayals of emerging adults, Arnett's research shows that they are particularly skilled at maintaining contradictory emotions--they are confident while still being wary, and optimistic in the face of large degrees of uncertainty.
As the demographics of American youth, the American workplace, and adulthood continue to evolve, Emerging Adulthood is indispensable reading for anyone wanting to understand the face of modern America.
In Emerging Adulthood, Jeffrey Jensen Arnett identifies and labels, for the first time, this period exploration, instability, possibility, self-focus, and a sustained sense of being in limbo. An increasing number of emerging adults emphasize having meaningful and satisfying work to a degree not seen in prior generations. Marrying later and exploring more casual sexual relationships have created different hopes and fears concerning long-term commitments and the differences between love and sex. Emerging adults also face the challenge of defending their non-traditional lifestyles to parents and others outside their generation who have made much more traditional choices. In contrast to previous portrayals of emerging adults, Arnett's research shows that they are particularly skilled at maintaining contradictory emotions--they are confident while still being wary, and optimistic in the face of large degrees of uncertainty.
As the demographics of American youth, the American workplace, and adulthood continue to evolve, Emerging Adulthood is indispensable reading for anyone wanting to understand the face of modern America.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 3, 2011
This was one of those books I wish I read when I was 18. Arnett elegantly describes exactly what emerging adults today are experiencing and all of the chaos that goes along with it! Using ethnographic methods, he outlines what it means to be an emerging adult and backs up his theories with countless case studies. While it is told through the American perspective, his ideas are easily transferable to other industrialized cultures.
In short, an emerging adult is generally someone between 18 and 25 years old, who feels as though they are not quite an adult yet and definitely not an adolescent. This feeling of being in-between is one of the defining characteristics of this life stage, as well as the need for exploration in work and love, feelings of instability, being self-focused, and feeling as though you have limitless possibilities. Emerging adults feel that they will have reached adulthood only when they can accept full responsibility for themselves, make independent decisions, and become financially independent. This is quite different from the traditional view that landmarks such as marriage, buying your first home, becoming a parent, beginning your career, etc. indicate the transition into adulthood. While these are still important things for emerging adults, they don’t put as much emphasis in such achievements as they do the specific character traits listed above.
In short, an emerging adult is generally someone between 18 and 25 years old, who feels as though they are not quite an adult yet and definitely not an adolescent. This feeling of being in-between is one of the defining characteristics of this life stage, as well as the need for exploration in work and love, feelings of instability, being self-focused, and feeling as though you have limitless possibilities. Emerging adults feel that they will have reached adulthood only when they can accept full responsibility for themselves, make independent decisions, and become financially independent. This is quite different from the traditional view that landmarks such as marriage, buying your first home, becoming a parent, beginning your career, etc. indicate the transition into adulthood. While these are still important things for emerging adults, they don’t put as much emphasis in such achievements as they do the specific character traits listed above.
June 6, 2011
Poignant for a textbook; very applicable to my current life, etc. Would have a higher rating if I were more academically invested in development between puberty and old age or lifespan development specific only to Western culture. As it were, I learned a lot and would recommend to those interested in the twenties (in middle-upper class Western culture)
January 14, 2018
Its a great book. Since it is nonfiction, I felt it is bit versobe, otherwise a 5 star.
As the title says, this book is about life challeges and opportunituies of people in 18 to late-20s age group.
Its written focussing on American society. I can relate it myself even though I didnt grow up in America (except few parts, rest everything felt as if its my own life).
I can better understand myself - I am 27, after I moved away from parents home I lived in multiple cities, switched jobs multiple times, went on and off with education, and yes I am not settled (as we call it) - this is the common theme.
I can now better understand my young friends and coworkers.
It's a good read for anyone who deals with people in 18 to late-20s age group, especially in America or the societies that mimics it.
As the title says, this book is about life challeges and opportunituies of people in 18 to late-20s age group.
Its written focussing on American society. I can relate it myself even though I didnt grow up in America (except few parts, rest everything felt as if its my own life).
I can better understand myself - I am 27, after I moved away from parents home I lived in multiple cities, switched jobs multiple times, went on and off with education, and yes I am not settled (as we call it) - this is the common theme.
I can now better understand my young friends and coworkers.
It's a good read for anyone who deals with people in 18 to late-20s age group, especially in America or the societies that mimics it.
April 5, 2019
Perhaps I'm biased due to being smack bang within the age-range of Emerging adulthood, but much of the revelations/descriptions for 'Emerging Adults' seemed self-evident to me, as they reflected my own experiences. Of course that doesn't invalidate the message of the book (quite the opposite) but it does mean there wasn't much within it that came as new information to me (except the specifics of the study results and sources).
Still, an interesting and valid premise, and something that should feed in to the wider conversation around where western civilisation is headed as a whole.
Still, an interesting and valid premise, and something that should feed in to the wider conversation around where western civilisation is headed as a whole.
November 20, 2021
The seminal text on this emerging (excuse the pun) life stage which impacts on a wide spectrum of fields I.E. psychological, sociological, development etc. This was invaluable for my research in the literary field of New Adult fiction which emerged alongside Emerging Adulthood! A must read for anyone trying to understand/comprehend the liminal phase of the college-aged
February 8, 2020
Detractions:
— Although Jensen Arnett acknowledges there has been much work globally since the first edition, he omits to include much of it, instead updating quantitative/qualitative data from the first edition (largely pertaining solely to USA). I felt he could have included research from colleagues around the world to promote his theories of Emerging Adulthood better.
— Maybe it's too soon to quantify – I'm not a sociologist – but I found it strange that, although published in 2014, there was zero mention of the 2008 global recession, or attempt to consider the effects this might have/have had on emerging adults and their future prospects.
— Although Jensen Arnett acknowledges there has been much work globally since the first edition, he omits to include much of it, instead updating quantitative/qualitative data from the first edition (largely pertaining solely to USA). I felt he could have included research from colleagues around the world to promote his theories of Emerging Adulthood better.
— Maybe it's too soon to quantify – I'm not a sociologist – but I found it strange that, although published in 2014, there was zero mention of the 2008 global recession, or attempt to consider the effects this might have/have had on emerging adults and their future prospects.
September 10, 2017
3.5 stars
November 11, 2019
Read it as part of a developmental psych class. From a professional point of view there are some flaws.
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August 7, 2024Very interesting, lots of data, fun reference list
April 5, 2017
Years ago, before the advent of psychology and other behavioral studies, there were only a couple stages to life: childhood and adulthood, and the transition from childhood to adulthood was quite abrupt.
Fortunately, things have changed. Not only has legislation helped us develop a better idea of childhood, but more importantly our understanding of human development has changed drastically. We have a better understanding of an infant’s development and cognitive abilities. We also understand the immense biological transformations within the system of an adolescent. The transformation into a fully functioning adult is very complex.
In recent years, the term “emerging adult” has, well, emerged. If you have read anything about young adults or college students in the past decade, then you surely have heard of Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. In fact, the term “emerging adult” was coined by Arnett through his research.
I have read a lot about emerging adulthood. I work with plenty of emerging adults. In fact, I apparently recently just exited out of emerging adulthood. And until I read this book, I simply considered the concept of emerging adulthood as a simple transitional stage or the short overlap between two stages. After reading Arnett’s work, I have definitely been persuaded into the idea that emerging adulthood is a legitimate stage in life. Emerging adulthood is not prolonged adolescence or a generational anomaly.
As our culture has evolved and personal achievements like education gets prolonged and marriage gets delayed, a new stage in life has been developed and it will continue for the foreseeable future.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in working with college students. I should have read it sooner. Arnett is one of the few, in my opinion, that sees emerging adults in a positive light and he has the research to back it up.
This book is great. It may not be a relaxing, sit by the pool book but it is very interesting.
Fortunately, things have changed. Not only has legislation helped us develop a better idea of childhood, but more importantly our understanding of human development has changed drastically. We have a better understanding of an infant’s development and cognitive abilities. We also understand the immense biological transformations within the system of an adolescent. The transformation into a fully functioning adult is very complex.
In recent years, the term “emerging adult” has, well, emerged. If you have read anything about young adults or college students in the past decade, then you surely have heard of Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. In fact, the term “emerging adult” was coined by Arnett through his research.
I have read a lot about emerging adulthood. I work with plenty of emerging adults. In fact, I apparently recently just exited out of emerging adulthood. And until I read this book, I simply considered the concept of emerging adulthood as a simple transitional stage or the short overlap between two stages. After reading Arnett’s work, I have definitely been persuaded into the idea that emerging adulthood is a legitimate stage in life. Emerging adulthood is not prolonged adolescence or a generational anomaly.
As our culture has evolved and personal achievements like education gets prolonged and marriage gets delayed, a new stage in life has been developed and it will continue for the foreseeable future.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in working with college students. I should have read it sooner. Arnett is one of the few, in my opinion, that sees emerging adults in a positive light and he has the research to back it up.
This book is great. It may not be a relaxing, sit by the pool book but it is very interesting.
October 30, 2008
I didn't truly read every word of this book, as I skipped over the sections that didn't "interest" me. The premise of the book is that there is another tier in reaching adulthood. The tier of "emerging adulthood" occurs, in the authors opinion, from 20 to 26 (or so). As a mother of two girls, 16 and 20, I was very interested in the subject. It makes a lot of sense to me that this age group should be looked at as a step to adulthood and made me feel better about what to expect from this age group.
I found it a very helpful and interesting look at this age group.
I found it a very helpful and interesting look at this age group.
September 21, 2015
Fantastic
I loved how this book explained the transitional period that exists for millennials. I think this is an important concept to be explored. Being a millennial, elders often describe my generation in a poor light but this book really takes those objections and explains them. I would recommend this book to anyone who believes my generation isn't going anywhere. It will give you a little more insight to our thought processes.
I loved how this book explained the transitional period that exists for millennials. I think this is an important concept to be explored. Being a millennial, elders often describe my generation in a poor light but this book really takes those objections and explains them. I would recommend this book to anyone who believes my generation isn't going anywhere. It will give you a little more insight to our thought processes.
November 16, 2014
An interesting thesis that there is a new stage in life between adolescence and adulthood. I know because I lived it myself about 30 years ago. The book was a little annoying because it could not generalize the findings from the interviews. Some emerging adults did this and some did the opposite. Although probably very honest I am not sure if it is helpful for understanding.
July 22, 2009
Excellent, well-organized study of the current state of the post-adolescent / approaching-adulthood (roughly 18-29) period of life in the US, based on surveys and interviews with hundreds of subjects.
August 29, 2010
This book was very well-written, and seemingly informative, but probably only if you're in a very specific point of your life. Reading this when I was 29, I probably didn't learn much that was new, but I'd highly recommend it for anyone in their early-mid 20s or the parent of someone who is.
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December 28, 2014Informative. Helped me form more realistic expectations of this time of age that my kids are now in the midst of so that I can hopefully be more supportive of them. I was reminded that my agenda for them is a laugh, in a good way.
April 13, 2016
Illuminating but morally defunct
This is a must read for people who work with or care for young or emerging adults. However, it is statistical, not ethical. It leaves much to be desired in the way of guidance and direction.
This is a must read for people who work with or care for young or emerging adults. However, it is statistical, not ethical. It leaves much to be desired in the way of guidance and direction.
May 8, 2013
Interesting reflection on how young adults define adulthood. liked the research based aspect of the narrative.
July 3, 2015
Some nice additions to this edition.
December 1, 2018
v interesting research on American emerging adults. read chapters of this.
October 5, 2020
Brugt som brugbar kilde ifb. med mit speciale om Young Adult-litteratur (2017)
March 2, 2016
Very good account of solid qualitative research leading to a very interesting theory.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews