Emerging Adulthood, Essay Example

As an individual grows, the person encounters the stage right after teenage and before we can be referred fully to be adults. This stage ranges from the age of 18 years and 29 years. This marks the period just after high school, or are about to join higher institutions of learning until the time one gets out of school.

In most cases, people undergo various experiences at this stage of development as they attempt to fit into adulthood. The people fail to understand clearly whether to call themselves as teenagers or adults (Feldman, Pg.457). In other words, this period can be referred to as the transition to adult roles, which extends from late teens the to mid and late twenties.

Based on the speaker, this marks a period that an individual fails to understand whether he/she is an adult or teenager (Feldman, Pg.457). Also, this is a stage of identity exploration mostly characterized by involvement in work, love, and worldview. Considering the TED talk and the reading, the contrasting elements between the two is the subject of understanding that some of the things people with for in the twenties can come later. Jay states that work can come later, marriage comes later, education can come later, and love can come later (Jay). Therefore the time to work on those things is before you have them.

In conclusion, the two resources have various components in common. Both the TED talk and the reading state that twenties think that it is time in life when they should be working, marrying, loving, and acquiring education (Jay). Also, the stage is full of self-focus and instability due to changes in living arrangements. The period is also full of challenges and discoveries according to the two resources. Besides, the two resources show that the emerging adulthood stage is marked by several changes, including further cognitive development that promotes post-formal thought among individuals.

Works Cited

Feldman, Robert. Development Across the Life Span. Pearson 8th ed., Pearson, 2017.

Jay, Meg. “Why 30 is not the new 20.” TED. Feb 2013. Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/meg_jay_why_30_is_not_the_new_20