3 Review(s)

In Emerging Adulthood, Jeffrey Jensen Arnett presents an engaging and compelling portrait of the lives of people he calls 'emerging adults'. He argues that in recent decades a new stage of life has developed, usually lasting from about age 18 through the mid-twenties, and distinct from both the adolescence that precedes it and the young adulthood that comes in its wake. This new stage is one of identity exploration, instability, possibility, self-focus, and of a substantial sense of limbo. In contrast to previous portrayals, Arnett's research shows that emerging adults are particularly skilled at maintaining contradictory emotions - they are confident while still being wary, and able to remain optimistic in the face of large degrees of uncertainty. Emerging adults have distinct views on both their careers and their relationships. An increasing number of them emphasize having meaningful and satisfying work to a degree not commonly seen in prior generations. They often have unique relationships with their parents, who have usually made much more traditional choices.Marrying later and exploring more casual sexual relationships have created different hopes and fears concerning long-term commitments and the differences between love and sex. As the demographics of American youth, the American workplace, and adulthood continue to evolve, Arnett's book is indispensable reading for anyone wanting to understand the face of modern America.