Arnett's Theory Of Emerging Adulthood Essay

Arnett’s (2000) theory of emerging adulthood expands upon Ericson’s earlier work and denotes emerging adulthood as a distinct period of transition characterized by exploration of possibilities and change. Arnett notes that changes in industrialized societies within the last fifty years have created a greater need for a postsecondary education, which in turn affected both marriage and birth rates. I find it important to note the similar effects of the Great Recession on the current generation. The Great Recession also affected the ability of college students and recent college graduates to find career opportunities and be financially independent, which in turn affected the achievement of traditional markers of adulthood, such as financial independence, marriage and childrearing. Individuals may be wary of making a lifetime commitment in the face of economic uncertainty. The term “millennials” took on a somewhat negative connotation, and that generation are often thought of as individuals who are stuck in the in-between stage

An important implication is that obtaining a college degree matters in terms of eventual financial independence. Mitchell & Syed (2015) noted that regardless of other markers of adulthood, college graduates earned twice as much as those with no or some college work by their 30’s. College graduates were more likely to work fewer hours during their high school years. Working more hours during high school could limit how much career exploration an individual is able to do, which in turn affects the type of education and career he or she pursues. Likewise, those with less college education had children earlier and had more children than those with more education by their 30’s. Having one or more children could severely curtail career exploration and the resources (namely, money and time) one has to pursue