1. Moving Toward Adulthood
What does it mean to be an adult?
One term often used when defining adulthood is maturity. Maturity has several components, including both physical and emotional aspects.

2. Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you’ll learn to:
Evaluate positive effects of relationships with peers, family, and friends on physical and emotional health.
Identify and explain the developmental tasks of adulthood.

3. Physical and Emotional Maturity
Physical Maturity
In late adolescence or the early twenties, most people reach physical maturity.
However, an adult physique doesn’t mean that you are an adult.
To be an adult, you’ll need to develop emotionally.

4. Physical and Emotional Maturity
Characteristics of an emotionally mature person:
The ability to give and receive love.
The ability to face reality and deal with it.
The capacity to relate positively to life experiences and learn from them.

5. Considering the Entire Life Cycle
Erikson’s Stages of Adulthood
Erikson’s stages of life illustrate that as a person progresses
through life, his or her goals continue to evolve.
Young adulthood:
19 to 40 years
Middle adulthood:
40 to 65 years
Late adulthood:
65 to death

6. Young Adulthood Four Major Aspects of Life Personal independence
Occupational choices
Intimate relationships
Contributions to society

7. Young Adulthood Developing Personal Independence
The desire for independence during adolescence is a part of the quest for self-actualization, which includes developing one’s capabilities to the fullest.
When leaving home or beginning to work fulltime, young adults may substitute the emotional support of friends for the support they once received from parents.
As they mature, however, they become more self-sufficient.

8. Young Adulthood Making Occupational Choices
As a teen you probably are giving some thought to what you want your life to be like when you are an adult.
Part of that thought process may include your ideas about a career or occupation.
Your ideas may be influenced by a part-time job, a role model, or the amount of education beyond high school required for a specific career.

9. Young Adulthood Establishing Intimate Relationships
As individuals grow into adulthood, they begin to develop emotional intimacy with other individuals.
Some people may have romantic relationships that result in marriage when they are ready for a permanent commitment.
Individuals may decide to seek romantic relationships later or not at all.
Practicing abstinence until marriage gives a person freedom from sexually transmitted diseases and maintains options for a healthy future.

10. Young Adulthood Contributing to Society
Another task of young adulthood includes determining where and how a person fits into society.
You have probably already developed some of your own political ideas and religious views.
Voting in elections and taking part in community projects are ways of contributing to society in a positive and effective manner.

11. Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. ______ is the state at which the mental and emotional capabilities of an individual are fully developed.
Emotional intimacy
Physical maturity
Self-actualization
Emotional maturity

12. Quick Review - Answer
A. Emotional maturity is the state at which the mental and emotional capabilities of an individual are fully developed.
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13. Q. When do most people reach physical maturity?
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. When do most people reach physical maturity?
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14. Quick Review - Answer
A. Most people reach physical maturity in late adolescence or the early twenties.
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15. Q. What are the four developmental tasks of adulthood?
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. What are the four developmental tasks of adulthood?
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16. A. The four developmental tasks of adulthood are:
Quick Review - Answer
A. The four developmental tasks of adulthood are:
Developing personal independence.
Making occupational choices.
Establishing intimate relationships.
Contributing to society.
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17. Quick Review Analyze and explain.
What does Erikson say is the goal of young adulthood? Why might this goal be the most challenging? Explain your reasoning.

18. Physical and Emotional Maturity
Physical Maturity
In late adolescence or the early twenties, most people reach physical maturity.
However, an adult physique doesn’t mean that you are an adult.
To be an adult, you’ll need to develop emotionally.
Physical maturity is the state at which the physical body and all its organs are fully developed.

19. Physical and Emotional Maturity
Characteristics of an emotionally mature person:
The ability to give and receive love.
The ability to face reality and deal with it.
The capacity to relate positively to life experiences and learn from them.
Emotional maturity is the state at which the mental and emotional capabilities of an individual are fully developed.

20. Young Adulthood Establishing Intimate Relationships
As individuals grow into adulthood, they begin to develop emotional intimacy with other individuals.
Some people may have romantic relationships that result in marriage when they are ready for a permanent commitment.
Individuals may decide to seek romantic relationships later or not at all.
Practicing abstinence until marriage gives a person freedom from sexually transmitted diseases and maintains options for a healthy future.
Emotional intimacy is the ability to experience a caring, loving relationship with another person with whom you can share your innermost feelings.

21. Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Emotional maturity is the state at which the mental and emotional capabilities of an individual are fully developed.
Click Next to attempt another question.

22. Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.