Stages of Adolescence - Essay Example

Growth and Development Question Jefferey Jensen describes emerging adulthood period as the transitional between the adolescent stage and young adulthood stage, during which the teenagers show fewer characteristics of the adolescent stage, but have not, yet achieved full adult status (Arnett, 2000). This period ranges from 18 to 22 years; however, the upper age limit varies and it may extend up to 28 years. Young people, during this period, are in the process of developing qualities, skills, and capacities character that are perceived, by their societies, as crucial for completing the transition to adulthood (Arnett, 2004). In the contemporary American society, transition to adulthood is achieved when a young person becomes financially independent, accept responsibilities, and make an independent decision. There are five key characteristics of this period, which include; The age of instability: this is the period when young people experience complications and uncertainties, which they have to solve. These may include changing of residences, partners and jobs. Identity exploration: during this people, emerging adults are determined to establish their identities, and what they want to become in life. Career and relationship identities are the commonly affected areas, in this case. They strive to find a stable job and suitable qualities that please their partners (Arnett, 2000). Self-focused: during this transition, emerging youths tend to focus more on their personal needs than other responsibilities such as parenthood. Feeling in between: this is the period when young period find it difficult distinguishing whether they are adults or not. They feel that there are some qualities they have not achieved in order to be considered as full adults (Kustanowitz, 2008). Age of possibilities: emerging adults are optimistic that they will achieve all their set goals such as having a decent home, happy family and a stable job. Question # 2 The adolescent stage is perceived as more critical and difficult than the emerging adulthood period. This is because of the numerous qualitative changes that take place during the adolescent period. Teenagers tend to break the previous relationships, properties and interests experienced during childhood period (Lerner, 2001). They begin sharpening their sense of own dignity and perceive themselves as people deprived of their rights to independence. Additionally, their lives are characterized by many contradictions. For example, they strive to get recognition, which they do not easily get as emerging adults do. They, therefore, associate more with their peers than parents. The impacts of peer influence, among the adolescent teenagers, are stronger than in emerging young adults. While young adults concentrate in doing their own things, adolescents copy what their peers do. In addition, conflict between the adolescents and their parents is greater than that between emerging adults and their parents. This is because the adolescents strive to become independent while living with their parents, unlike emerging adults who try to become independent while operating from their own residential homes. Question # 3 Erick Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development describes how personality is developed, at different stages of human development, with the main focus on the effects of social experience on an individual’s life (Newman & Newman, 2007). The development of ego identity is one of the main elements that Erickson describes, in this theory. Ego identity is the conscious sense that people develop through social interactions (Newman & Newman, 2007). It thus, changes from one stage to another as from birth to adulthood stage, and it is influenced by the information and experiences people get through social interaction. According to Erickson, the emerging adult period is characterized by solidarity and intimacy verses isolation (Newman & Newman, 2007). Basic strengths of this period include love and affiliation. This is a period when people are struggling to seek mutually satisfying relationships through friends and marriages. Successive conflicts between the teenagers and their parents also make them seek their independent financial support and homes. This is mainly done due to search for freedom and independency. Question # 4 According to Erickson’s development theory, young adults should develop either intimacy or isolation, during the emerging adulthood period. People who successfully pass this period are expected to develop close relationships with other people (Lerner, 2001). These relationships should also be secure and committed. According to human development theories, every development stage has some specific qualities that must be achieved in order to proceed to the next stage. For instance, emerging adulthood period requires a strong sense of personal identity, which is developed during the adolescence period. Individuals who lack this quality are likely to experience less committed relationships (Lerner, 2001). Therefore, they are more likely to suffer depression, loneliness and emotional isolation. They are also likely to find it difficult to create satisfying relationships, acquire stable jobs, and become independent. Thus, they will begin feeling like their worlds have shrunk, and this, in turn, makes them develop an attitude that they are superior to other people. Question # 5 Some of the key challenges experienced during the emerging adulthood period include the development of a tentative life structure, identity, and supportive relationship. Identity is described as the image of self as an independent adult, in the context of development theories (Arnett, 2004). Therefore, the development of self identity is significantly influenced by both the macrosystem and the socio-cultural environment, in which the person is living (Saraswathi, 2003). Macro-environment, in this case, represents a family. Parents act as the first role models of their children. Therefore, their actions significantly influence teenagers’ behaviors. For example, a child brought up by smoking parents is likely to become a smoker, in the future. Additionally, the pieces of advice given to children, by their parents, strongly shape their identity. For example, a child advised that education is the key to success is likely to study hard to achieve excellent grades. This will, in turn, help them acquire stable job opportunities, in the future. Culture also affects the identity of emerging young adults (Saraswathi, 2003). For instance, cultures that prohibit early marriages will only see young adults engage in intimate relationships only after they become recognized as full adults. Question # 6 Most people believe that post-secondary education is necessary for achieving success in life. This is because most emerging adults believe that secondary education is not enough to prepare them for their careers. Post –secondary education is, therefore, necessary to impart the required skills and knowledge needed to pursue their career dreams (Lerner, 2001). One of the main objectives of emerging youth period is to get financial independency. On the other hand, financial independency can only be achieved when an individual has a secure job. Post-secondary is a necessity in enhancing the development process of the emerging adult since it imparts the required knowledge and skills of getting a decent job. According to studies, an average young adult should complete his or her post-secondary education at the age of 25 years, which falls under the emerging adulthood period. References Arnett J. J. (2004). Emerging Adulthood : The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties. London: Oxford University Press. Arnett J. J. (May 2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. . American Psychologist, Vol 55(5) , 469-480. Kustanowitz I. E. (2008). Characteristics of Emerging Adults who Participate in Community Service Activities. New York: ProQuest,. Lerner R. M. (2001). Concepts and Theories of Human Development. New York: Taylor & Francis. Newman B. M, Newman P. R. (2007). Theories of Human Development. London: Routledge. Saraswathi T. S. (2003). Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Human Development: Theory, Research and Applications. New York: SAGE. Read More