What is Emerging Adulthood? / What are emerging adults?
Have you ever asked yourself, what is emerging adulthood and when does it end?If you are ages 18-30, developmental psychology defines you as an emerging adult. This age group is also fondly known as a “twentysomethings” or “people in their twenties and thirties”. Currently, the generation of this age group represents Millenials (Generation Y) and Generation Z (Gen Z)
Emerging adulthood is a relatively recent concept that represents the phase of life that occurs between late adolescence and full-fledged adulthood.This time period in adult life is complex – there are highs and lows, transitions, and self-exploration that occurs more than any other time period across the lifespan.
Defining Emerging Adulthood:
Emerging adulthood is often described as a period of identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and possibilities. It's characterized by the following key aspects
Identity Exploration: Emerging adults grapple with questions about their values, beliefs, and life goals. They experiment with different roles, careers, and relationships in their pursuit of self-discovery. This may be why you suddenly get the urge to move across the country, break up with a partner who no longer supports the direction you’re growing in, or try on different jobs or career paths for size.
Instability: This stage is marked by numerous transitions, including moving out of your parents’ home, attending college or even graduate school, exploring your sexuality, changing jobs, and forming and ending relationships. These transitions contribute to a cycle instability, adaptation, and growth.
Self-Focus: As much as it hurts to hear this, emerging adults often have a period of self-absorption, focusing on their own personal growth and development. They may delay marriage and parenthood to invest in their individual aspirations and make decisions solely based on what benefits them and their future.
Feeling In-Between: Emerging adults may not fully identify as adolescents or adults. They occupy an intermediate space where they have adult responsibilities, such as voting and paying taxes, but haven't entirely left behind their youthful characteristics.
Possibilities: This phase is filled with possibilities and opportunities for exploration. Emerging adults have the freedom to make choices about their education, careers, and relationships.
Developmental Tasks: During emerging adulthood, individuals typically face specific developmental tasks:
Establishing Autonomy: This phase involves gaining independence from parents and forming a sense of self-reliance.
Pursuing Education and Career Goals: Many emerging adults focus on obtaining higher education, pursuing career opportunities, and developing skills for future success.
Exploring Intimate Relationships: Developing and maintaining romantic relationships is a crucial aspect, and some individuals may begin to contemplate marriage.
Achieving Financial Independence: As emerging adults transition to financial self-sufficiency, they learn to manage their finances.
Challenges and Opportunities: While emerging adulthood (ages 18-20) offers numerous opportunities for self-discovery and growth, it is not without its challenges. The fluidity and uncertainty of this period can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress, especially concerning career and relationship decisions. However, these challenges are also opportunities for resilience-building and the development of coping skills.
Conclusion: Emerging adulthood is a distinct and transformative phase of life characterized by identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and possibilities. It is a time of transition and personal growth, during which individuals navigate the bridge between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood. This period allows for self-discovery, educational and career development, and the exploration of intimate relationships. While it presents unique challenges, it also offers the potential for personal development, resilience, and the pursuit of individual aspirations. Understanding and acknowledging the significance of emerging adulthood is essential for providing support and guidance to those experiencing this transformative life stage.
If you are looking for support as you navigate your emerging adulthood life stage, don’t hesitate to reach out! I specialize in working with people in their 20’s and 30’s and would love to connect and see if I am a good fit for your therapeutic needs.
Emily is a remote therapist from Massachusetts who specializes in working with mental health in emerging adults — specifically twenty somethings, or people who are college students, graduate students, young professionals, or young adults undergoing stress, depression, and anxiety. This transition from childhood to adulthood presents unique challenges of self-exploration, identity crises, and neurodevelopmental growth unmatched to any other stage of the life span.
With over ten years of working with students of all ages, from international high school students to college students and to adult English learners, Emily understands the unique challenges that high achieving individuals face when it comes to balancing their mental health and prioritizing their goals. From balancing the demands of her own educational and career journey to navigating the changes and transitions that come with each stage of adulthood, she provides a compassionate and non-judgmental space for early adults, young professionals, and college students to explore their feelings and experiences while learning skills and strategies to support their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Emily’s approach is rooted in evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and motivational interview (MI) while using a trauma-informed feminist lens. Emily is dedicated to empowering individuals better understand their mental health, learn to cope with the ups and downs, and understand their sense of purpose.
