Early Adulthood, Reaction Paper Example

While not all sources define the stages and corresponding ages of the life span precisely the same, generally acceptable are the following: Prenatal Period, Infancy, Babyhood, Early childhood, Late Childhood, Puberty or Preadolescence; Adolescence; Early Adulthood, Middle Age, and Old Age (Hurlock, 1980) .

Up to the end of adolescence (18 years), one is in a state of dependency on parents or other guardians. While these years can be great, depending upon the home life environment, they can also be miserable. There are also many physical changes to deal with, especially hormonal ones. Consequently, I do not wish to live in any of these stages until 80 years of age. I can, however, see myself spending my life in the second decade (30 to 40 years of age) of the early adulthood stage. In fact, I choose to spend my life span as a 30 year-of-age person. By this time, I would have attained my desired level of education and should have obtained employment that is satisfying emotionally and financially. I would likely be married by now and even have a child or two, if those were goals of mine. I would be driving a modest late-model car and living in nice rented accommodation, saving for the purchase of my first house. My spouse and I would be enjoying the company of our relatives and a nice set of friends. We would be healthy and agile, enjoying sports and trips. These attributes begin to gradually decline in middle age (40 – 60) and more rapidly in old age (60+). Many old agers are not healthy and are very lonely.

Works Cited

Hurlock, Elizabeth B. Developmental Psychology, A Life-Span Approach. New York: New York. McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1980. Print.