Social Transitions IIWhen does adolescence end, and adulthood begin?Is there a unique developmental period in between adolescence and adulthood?Slide 4What is the transition to adulthood like?What can be done to ease the transition to adulthood?Slide 7Slide 8The case of Job Corps (cont.)Take-home messageSocial Transitions IISocial Transitions IIThe transition to adulthoodThe transition to adulthoodWhen does adolescence end, When does adolescence end, and adulthood begin?and adulthood begin?Is there an in-between period?Is there an in-between period?Some theorists call in-between period Some theorists call in-between period emerging adulthoodemerging adulthood or or youthyouthApproximately ages 18-25Approximately ages 18-25Marked by prolonged transition from adolescence to Marked by prolonged transition from adolescence to adulthoodadulthoodE.g., prolonged formal educationE.g., prolonged formal educationProlonged separation from parents financiallyProlonged separation from parents financiallyDelay in securing a lifetime committed relationshipDelay in securing a lifetime committed relationshipRelationships during this time period are characterized by Relationships during this time period are characterized by serial monogamy serial monogamy Going from one long term Going from one long term relationship to anotherrelationship to anotherTrend for increased romantic/sexual experience prior to Trend for increased romantic/sexual experience prior to marriagemarriageAge of marriage later than in previous generationsAge of marriage later than in previous generationsIsIs there a unique developmental there a unique developmental period in between adolescence period in between adolescence and adulthood?and adulthood?Debate over this issue-scholars disagree whether Debate over this issue-scholars disagree whether this period is universalthis period is universalMay not adequately characterize youth who are not May not adequately characterize youth who are not from middle to high SESfrom middle to high SESScholars who disagree with this period: Scholars who disagree with this period: ““Not everybody Not everybody has the luxury of this prolonged period of self-has the luxury of this prolonged period of self-exploration and educational attainmentexploration and educational attainment””““Not valid across culturesNot valid across cultures””Even within the U.S., there is regional variation: one Even within the U.S., there is regional variation: one recent study of U.S. youth found that the emerging recent study of U.S. youth found that the emerging adult pattern was most likely to occur in the adult pattern was most likely to occur in the ““blue blue statesstates”” that voted for John Kerry in the 2004 election that voted for John Kerry in the 2004 electionWhen does adolescence end, When does adolescence end, and adulthood begin?and adulthood begin?Regardless of whether you agree that Regardless of whether you agree that emerging emerging adulthoodadulthood is a unique developmental period, the is a unique developmental period, the transitiontransition to adulthood is a critical time in the to adulthood is a critical time in the lifespanlifespanThe choices made during young adulthood have The choices made during young adulthood have lifetime implicationslifetime implicationsLifestyle/health choicesLifestyle/health choicesEducation and career choicesEducation and career choicesRelationship choicesRelationship choicesWhat is the transition to What is the transition to adulthood like?adulthood like?Most young adults experiences Most young adults experiences stability in well-being during early stability in well-being during early 20s (about 80%)20s (about 80%)Those with problems in childhood and Those with problems in childhood and adolescence continue to have difficultyadolescence continue to have difficultyThose doing well in childhood and Those doing well in childhood and adolescence continue to do well.adolescence continue to do well.However, a minority of youth experience However, a minority of youth experience substantial change in well-beingsubstantial change in well-beingWhat can be done to ease the What can be done to ease the transition to adulthood?transition to adulthood?Expand work and volunteer activity Expand work and volunteer activity availabilityavailabilityDesign service learning opportunities for Design service learning opportunities for adolescents (e.g., daycare center, adolescents (e.g., daycare center, nursing homes, apprenticeship nursing homes, apprenticeship opportunities)opportunities)Involve adolescents in improving Involve adolescents in improving communities communities Provide government-funded public Provide government-funded public service jobsservice jobsWhat can be done to ease the What can be done to ease the transition to adulthood?transition to adulthood?Improve the quality of community life for Improve the quality of community life for adolescents and their familiesadolescents and their familiesMake available and improve community resourcesMake available and improve community resourcesMake these resources known about and accessibleMake these resources known about and accessibleProvide mentoring programs for at-risk youthProvide mentoring programs for at-risk youthPositive outcomes for teens who can identify at least Positive outcomes for teens who can identify at least one adult outside of their family who they feel cares one adult outside of their family who they feel cares about themabout themWhat can be done to ease the What can be done to ease the transition to adulthood?transition to adulthood?Increase funds put into job training Increase funds put into job training programs – particularly important for programs – particularly important for non-college bound young peoplenon-college bound young peopleJob Corps is a good example Job Corps is a good example Provides job training for 62,000 new Provides job training for 62,000 new participants each year aged 16-24 participants each year aged 16-24 years of age, primarily from low years of age, primarily from low income areas across USincome areas across USThe case of Job Corps (cont.)The case of Job Corps (cont.)Recent study found that 4 years after Recent study found that 4 years after completing program, Job Corps completing program, Job Corps participants, compared