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Required Readings
Arnett, J. J. (2007). Emerging adulthood, a 21 St century theory: A rejoinder to Hendry and Kloep. Child Development Perspectives, 1, 80-82.
ABSTRACT- I offer a rejoinder to Hendry and Kloep's critique of my theory of emerging adulthood. We differ in our perspectives in that I see more value than they do in overall terms for and conceptions of periods of the life course, including emerging adulthood. Also, they claim a greater influence for social class on well-being in emerging adulthood than I believe is warranted. However, we agree on the necessity of investigating the diversity of paths through emerging adulthood and in recognizing its cultural and historical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Arnett, J. J., (. . . .). Emerging Adulthood: Understanding the New Way of Coming of Age.
I begin by presenting a demographic outline of emerging adulthood. Then I summarize my theory of emerging adulthood by presenting the five features that distinguish it as a developmental period. Finally, I consider the special challenges involved in building a new paradigm of emerging adulthood, given that emerging adults are such a diverse group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Arnett, J. J., (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist. 55, No. 5, 469-480
Emerging adulthood is proposed as a new conception of development for the period from the late teens through the twenties, with a focus on ages 18–25. A theoretical background is presented. Then evidence is provided to support the idea that emerging adulthood is a distinct period demographically, subjectively, and in terms of identity explorations. How emerging adulthood differs from adolescence and young adulthood is explained. Finally, a cultural context for the idea of emerging adulthood is outlined, and it is specified that emerging adulthood exists only in cultures that allow young people a prolonged period of independent role exploration during the late teens and twenties. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Arnett, J .J., (2000). HIGH HOPES IN A GRIM WORLD Emerging Adults’ Views of Their Futures and “Generation X”. YOUTH & SOCIETY, Vol. 31 No. 3, March 2000 267-286 © 2000 Sage Publications, Inc.
Explored the views of the future among emerging adults, including not only economic issues but also their views of their prospects in terms of career achievement, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. 140 persons (21–28 yrs old) were interviewed and completed a questionnaire on questions about their own futures and what they perceived to be the view of the future held by young people. It general, they viewed their personal futures optimistically and believed their live would be as good or better than their parents' lives. Interview responses indicated that many participants emphasized personal relationships especially marriage, as the foundation of their future happiness. However, regarding the future of their generation as a whole, they were pessimistic. A majority of them agreed with the 'Generation X' characterization of their generation as cynical and pessimistic. Reasons for this cynicism and pessimism were diverse and included economic prospects as well as societal problems such as crime and environmental destruction. Nevertheless, the participants tended to believe they would succeed in their personal pursuit of happiness even amidst the difficult conditions facing their generation and the world. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Arnett, J. J., (2013). The Evidence for Generation We and Against Generation Me. Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood and Sage Publications. 1, No.1.
Abstract: This article addresses the question of whether today’s emerging adults are excessively 'narcissistic' as claimed by Jean Twenge (see record 2014-16934-003 ) and others. The answer is a decisive 'no.' There is no persuasive evidence that scores on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) have risen among college students in recent decades. In any case, the NPI is a dubious measure of narcissism, and college students are a dubious sample of emerging adults. There is evidence that today’s emerging adults have high expectations and are confident in their abilities, but these qualities should be seen as psychological resources during a life stage that is often difficult. If it were true that their narcissism was rising and that narcissism leads to impulsive behavior, then impulsive behavior would also be rising, but in fact it is diminishing across multiple indicators. As a society, we can and should do more to support emerging adults, beginning with a halt to the negative stereotypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved), Database: PsycINFO
Arnett, J. J., . . . From “worm food” to “infinite bliss”: Emerging adults’ views of life after death. Positive Youth Development and Spirituality: From Theory to Research. Ed.
Religious beliefs serve many positive functions, from psychological security to community
solidarity, but perhaps religion's most important function is to take the sting out of death. The
evolution in humans of a substantial frontal cortex resulted in a uniquely human existential
predicament. The capacity to anticipate the future is a valuable ability for enhancing survival,
as it allows us to foresee perils such as food shortages and attacks by enemies, but it also
allows each of us to foresee that we will die one day, as have all others before us. [FROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE]
Arnett, J. J., Emerging Adulthood: What Is It, and What Is It Good For? Society for Research I Child Development. 1, No., 2, 68-73
ABSTRACT- This article asserts that the theory of emerging adulthood is a useful way of conceptualizing the lives of people from their late teens to their mid- to late 20s in industrialized societies. The place of emerging adulthood within the adult life course is discussed. The weaknesses of previous terms for this age period are examined, and emerging adulthood is argued to be preferable as a new term for a new phenomenon. With respect to the question of whether emerging adulthood is experienced positively or negatively by most people, it is argued that it is positive for most people but entails developmental challenges that may be difficult and there is great heterogeneity, with some emerging adults experiencing serious problems. With respect to the question of whether or not emerging adulthood is good for society, it is argued that claims of the dangers of emerging adulthood are overblown, but emerging adulthood is probably a mixed blessing for society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Arnett, J. J., Ramos, K. D., Arnett-Jensen, L., (2001). Ideological Views in Emerging Adulthood: Balancing Autonomy and Community. Journal of. Adult Development. 8, No. 2.
Ideological views of 140 emerging adults (ages 20–29) were explored, using the ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity. Two questions were asked as part of an interview: “When you get toward the end of your life, what would you like to be able to say about your life, looking back on it?” and “What values or beliefs do you think are the most important to pass on to the next generation?” Overall, emerging adults used Autonomy and Community in roughly equal proportions, whereas Divinity was used relatively infrequently. Use of Autonomy was negatively correlated with use of Community on both questions, but the correlations were modest, and some emerging adults were able to reconcile the two ethics. Qualitative examples are presented to illustrate the findings of the study, and the findings are discussed in the context of claims about American individualism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Lerner, R. M., Roeser, R. W., Phelps, E. Edgell, P., Faith and Spirituality among Emerging Adults. University of Minnesota Hymowitz, K., Carroll, J.S., Wilcox, W.B., & Kaye, K. (2013). Knot yet: The benefits and costs of delayed marriage in America (pp. 3
One of the most important social developments of our time is the recent rise in age at first marriage, which now stands at 27 for women and 29 for men–a historic high. Delayed marriage in America has helped to bring the divorce rate down since 1980 and increased the economic fortunes of college-educated women, according to Knot Yet: The Benefits and Costs of Delayed Marriage in America, a new report from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, and the RELATE Institute. But another important consequence of delayed marriage is that most Americans without college degrees now have their first child before they marry. By contrast, the vast majority of college-educated men and women still put childbearing after marriage. Knot Yet explores the causes and consequences of this revolution in family life, especially the ways that delayed marriage is connected to the welfare of twentysomethings, their children, and the nation as a whole. [FROM WEBSITE]
Schwartz, S. J., Donnellan, M. B., Ravert, R. D., Luyckx, K., Zamboanga, L., Identity Development, Personality, and Well-Being in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: Theory, research, and recent advances. AdolescenceSee Chapter 14