Early Adulthood

“Generation me” controversy: Is there increased narcissism and materialism? Cohort evidence questions these claims Involvement in volunteerism, community service Voter turnout © michaeljung/Shutterstock Worldview in Emerging Adulthood

Generations generation-next/

Pew Research At the same time, fully a third of older Millennials (ages 26 to 33) have a four-year college degree or more—making them the best-educated cohort of young adults in American history. Sometimes called the “me” generation because of “trophy” generation Extrinsic vs Intrinsic More civic minded

Intimacy Making a permanent commitment to intimate partner Redefining identity Secure identity associated with fidelity Isolation Loneliness, self- absorption State of searching © AVAVA/Shutterstock Erikson’s Theory: Intimacy versus Isolation

Average age of leaving increased over last 50 years Financial dependence is a factor More than 50% leave, then return briefly Culture, SES, ethnicity affect ability to leave, interest in leaving Parents highly committed to helping young people move into adult roles Leaving Home

Stenberg’s Types of Love

Draw the eight types Using a triangle to show each type

Age-graded expectations for life events Less rigid than in earlier generations Following a social clock lends confidence, contributes to social stability Distress if not following or falling behind © chaoss/Shutterstock The Social Clock

Marrying later 70% marry at least once Fewer marriages Staying single, cohabiting, not remarrying after divorce Trend toward legalization of same-sex marriage © Pitcha Torranin/Shutterstock Trends in Marriage

Increase in unmarried, sexually intimate couples living together Preparation for marriage vs. alternative to marriage: In Western Europe, cohabiters nearly as committed as married people U.S. couples who cohabit before engagement more likely to divorce Homosexual cohabiters report strong relationship commitment © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Cohabitation

Involuntary No parenthood partner Infertile May be dissatisfied Voluntary Usually college-educated and committed to prestigious jobs About 20% of women © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Childlessness

Stabilized since 1980s In United States, about 45% Most common times: first seven years, midlife Young children and adolescents involved © Yuriy Rudyy/Shutterstock Divorce Rates

Ineffective problem solving Separate lives Major problems: infidelity, money issues, substance abuse Background factors: age, religion, prior divorce, family background SES Gender roles, expectations Ignoring bids….. Article discussion Causes and Factors in Divorce

Increasing: 8%–10% remain single for life Gender differences: Women more likely to stay single More well-educated women, uneducated men single after age 30 Ethnic differences: African Americans single longer Stressful periods: Late twenties Mid-thirties for women Singlehood

Challenges to Women’s Career Development

Look at this!! The survey findings are paired with a Pew Research analysis of census data that shows that today’s young women are the first in modern history to start their work lives at near parity with men. millennial-women-near-parity-for-now/ millennial-women-near-parity-for-now/