Navigating Emerging Adulthood
By Shade Adekunle, M.Ed.
If you have ever found yourself feeling very in-between as an early twenty-something--not yet a full "adult" despite what societal norms have guided us to believe--I'm here to tell you that is normal. The study of human development has allowed us to conceptualize which physical, social, or behavioral shifts accompany different lifespan stages. Developmental theories from the mid-twentieth century originally suggested that adolescence ended and young adulthood began at age 18 and lasted until age 40. This reflected the norms of that time where people often found stability in employment and held long-term relationships that resulted in marriage all by their mid-twenties, which led to the belief that the transition from adolescence to adulthood was clear and seamless.
Things have changed
But, as you might imagine, there is a lot that can happen in our modern world between 18 and 40! From our late teens to mid to late twenties, we are still processing how we view the world and ourselves. This age period is filled with growth and exploration and is now considered a new developmental phenomenon called Emerging Adulthood.
Emerging Adulthood is defined by or made up of five features:
1) Age of identity explorations -> Deciding what you want out of life, work, relationships and deciding who you are
2) Age of instability -> Frequent moves, new relationships, change in employment
3) Age of self-focus -> Making choices and decisions about where you want to be and what you want to do with limited constraints
4) The age of feeling in-between -> Learning to take responsibility for yourself but still not feeling like an adult
5) Age of possibilities -> Optimism about the future and multiple possibilities
Therapy + Emerging Adulthood
Emerging adulthood is a good life stage to consider the benefits of therapy!
Therapy during this developmental period might look like:
Redefining or determining your values and how to reflect these values in meaningful areas of your life.
Learning how to navigate relationships (familial, platonic, romantic) and boundaries.
Processing experiences from childhood and adolescence.
Learning how to take responsibility and developing skills to be accountable to yourself and others.
Exploring and forming your identity.
We all learn how to navigate adulthood as best we can, so seeking support can be another resource to make it through this life stage!
Resources:
Arnett, J. J. (2007). Emerging adulthood: What is it, and what is it good for?. Child development perspectives, 1(2), 68-73.
Munsey, C. (2006). Emerging adults: The in-between age. Monitor on psychology, 37(6), 68.
Article by Folashade Adekunle, M.Ed.
Folashade is a counselor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who works with young adults who are forming their identity, processing their childhoods, and learning how to create their own path in life. To schedule with Shade click here.