Emerging Adults in America: Coming of Age in the 21st Century

by Dr Jeffrey Jensen Arnett PhD (Editor)

Emerging Adults in Coming of Age in the 21st Century portrays the lives of young Americans between adolescence and young adulthood, a distinct developmental stage that editor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett describes as emerging adulthood. Over the past 40 years, the average age of marriage and parenthood has risen dramatically, and the years from the late teens through the mid-20s are no longer dedicated to settling into traditional adult roles. Instead, the focus has shifted to pursuing higher education, self-exploration, and shaping a future that best suits personal goals and desires.
 
Along with coeditor Jennifer Lynn Tanner, Arnett has compiled a collection of chapters in this groundbreaking work that cover a range of topics from relationships with parents to views about love, sex, and marriage; from experiences in college to those in the work place; and from religious beliefs to beliefs about the concept of adulthood. This insightful book will be a valuable resource for developmental psychologists, therapists, and mental health practitioners who work with emerging adults and will appeal to young people and their families.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

341 pages, Hardcover

First published December 30, 2005

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thorough examination of what it means to be an emerging adult in 21st century America. This is very important since this new life stage only exists in certain cultures and at certain times, and so it can be assumed that this stage will continue to change with time. Each of the writers expand upon Arnett’s theory of emerging adulthood by looking at other areas of research that were previously neglected such as EA and sexuality, the relationship with parents, how EAs use different types of media, and so on. Since this book builds upon earlier theories and ideas, I would strongly recommend reading Arnett’s “Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties” first to orient yourself before really diving in. however, this again is one book I wish I had read when I was 18 since it looks at and explains a lot of the commonalities of this new life stage, stressing that you’re not alone!

[Brenda Srof]

I read chapter 5: Ethnic Identity Exploration in Emerging Adulthood by Jean S. Phinney