Comparing Erikson And Arnet's Theory Of Emerging Adulthood

There comes a time is everyone’s life when they reach the point where they are no longer considered children, but adults. This transition from a child into a young adult is often referred to as the "coming of age;” which is different in everyone, since experiences different circumstances during this stage. According to Eric Erikson, there are eight different social stages a person must go through as they mature. Each stage has a positive and negative outcome. One of these includes stage 5 where it is reached when an adolescent is going through puberty where their body is changing and they are just trying to come to figuring out who exactly they are. In addition to Erikson’s idea, Arnet adds another idea called Emerging Adulthood. This idea

Erikson and Arnett explain in very great detail the stage that’s supposed to fit in with the emerging adults of an industrial generation. But what happens when you are raised in a traditional manner and shifted in industrial ways while trying to resolve an identity crisis. Erikson knew development didn’t always occur as intended. In his theory, he stated, “while the central crisis of each stage is distinctly characteristic of that particular age, [he believed] humans could go back and re-work crises later on in life which is exactly what I am doing at this very moment”(199)A . As societies become more affluent, they are more likely to grant young people the opportunity for the extended moratorium of emerging adulthood. But there laid my crisis, the reason for my extended moratorium as a 21-year-old senior at Suffolk university. I’m originally born and raised in Kenya while my American accent may fool many I haven’t been here for a while. I grew up in a more traditional culture driven society. If I was still in Kenya and still strictly following my tribal ways, I’d be expected to be married and pregnant at this age- especially since I’ve been with the same guy since I was 14. Growing up I was able to resolve each stage, according to Erikson with a specific future in my mind. My crisis, though began when I moved from Kenya to America during my adolescent years. Once thinking I knew who I was I started questioning who am I? Was I going through a recurring crisis? A stay home wife and mother was once my destiny once I finished high school. But suddenly I had guidance counselors asking me how I’d like to pursue my education. For me, the cultural component of my identity greatly influenced and continue to influence my resolution to my identity crisis. While I am in a serious relationship and have been for about 7 years, I’m sure my inability to move forward with marriage with my boyfriend