Emerging Adulthood: Challenges and Possibilities

PSY 1622 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22! Over the past fifty years or so, the typical experiences of people aged 18-29 in developed countries have undergone significant changes. Many now delay marriage and parenthood, while dedicating more time to education. They focus on personal development and tend to be highly optimistic about their future careers and relationships. This developmental stage, known as emerging adulthood, differs from late adolescence and young adulthood in that individuals are less reliant on their parents, no longer considered minors by law, but have not yet fully settled into adult roles.

This course offers a critical evaluation of theory and research on several topics relevant to the “in-between” stage of emerging adulthood. These include identity exploration in areas such as love (sex, dating, and long-term relationships), work, and worldviews (political beliefs and civic engagement); evolving relationships with parents, siblings, and grandparents; and structural influences on the transition to adulthood, such as discrimination based on sexual orientation, sexual violence on college campuses, and mental health challenges. The course also emphasizes cultural variations and highlights the unique patterns of experiencing emerging adulthood, even within American society.