Emerging Adulthood

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Transitioning into adulthood seems to take on many different forms in many different cultures. However, in the Unites States the argument of whether a new stage of life called emerging adulthood should be considered as a new phase in human development is still being disputed. Some claim that by establishing a new stage of psychological development 20-somethings will be more inclined to draw away from taking up adult responsibilities, but what they fail realize is that by not tending to their needs we are jeopardizing young adults’ ability to take care of the generation ahead of them. In “What Is It about 20-Somethings?”, Robin Marantz Henig claims 20-somethings are avoiding adulthood and by creating a new stage of development they will only …show more content…

Throughout recent years scientists have proved that the brain is also one of the most delicate parts of the human body and if meddled with the wrong way, disastrous psychological effects can follow. A major psychological disorder that many Americans are effected by is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most individuals acquire it from joining the army, and since the recruitment age for the military is only 18, young adults are being mentally debilitated at a very young age ruining the rest of their adult life. Henig emphasizes that “synaptic pruning intensifies after rapid brain-cell proliferation during childhood and again in the period that encompasses adolescence and the 20s.” (Henig 204). She also notes that the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions, is still maturing well after puberty. As a result, with there being overwhelming evidence of continued brain development in emerging adults, establishments like the government will have to amend certain policies that give 18-25 year olds societal responsibilities. So, the age to enter the military and even vote may have to be risen and although this may sound like a negative effect of emerging adulthood, it will help 20-somethings to focus more on themselves and plan for their transition into adulthood. Additionally, by changing policies like the …show more content…

By helping 20-somethings to transition into adulthood the generation cycle will function more smoothly, in other words the links of the bicycle chain will be more strongly held together. Henig argues “The traditional cycle seems to have gone off course, as young people remain untethered to romantic partner or to a permanent home, going back to school for lack of better options, traveling, avoiding commitments, competing ferociously for unpaid internships or temporary (and often grueling) Teach for America jobs, forestalling the beginning of adult life.” (Henig 199). On the other hand, Arnett states “Today young people don’t expect to marry until their late 20s, don’t expect to start a family until their 30s, don’t expect to be on track for a rewarding career until much later than their parents were. So they make decisions about their futures that reflect this wider time horizon. Many of them would not be ready to take on the trappings of adulthood any earlier even if the opportunity arose; they haven’t braced themselves for it.” (Henig 205). While Henig is displaying that 20-somethings are purposefully procrastinating their emergence into adulthood and slowing down the generation cycle, Arnett is asserting that emerging adults don’t have the necessary guidance on how

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