The Clark University Poll of Established Adults, Article Review Example

Summary

Clark University poll uncovered absolutely unexpected results with regards to modern-day adults. Considering the research questions that inspired the study, it is necessary to admit that the professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett was much concerned about figuring out the sentiments among the adulthood and when people actually “reach adulthood in today’s United States?” Moreover, the scholars clarified the viewpoints of modern parenting, stating that, in view of today’s parents, there is nothing stressful about having children. Obviously, the recent poll proved today’s adults to be optimistic in respect of their future. Concerning the results, it is worth saying that they are clarified in detail in the report “Becoming Established Adults: Busy, Joyful, Stressed – and Still Dreaming Big.” Moving through the article, it becomes apparent that the recent report incorporates about one thousand interviewees, aged between 25 and 29; the given poll was focused on interviewing the “emerging adults”. It becomes apparent that in order to investigate the topic, the research was based on using the statistic approach to analyzing the attitudes towards the probability of achieving better success in life in comparison with the adults’ parents.  As for the results, the adults surprisingly demonstrated quite a similar optimism.

Although the youngsters pass through the trial of today’s recession and so-called “established adults” are likely to face dramatic downturn of favorable life conditions, they still appear to be optimistic and willing to stand all the tests dictated by hard times. Regarding the results of the recent Clark University poll, one should take into account that it emphasized that 86 percent of the interviewees advance an argument that they will evidently succeed in their future doings, no matter what sort of difficulties they have to undergo. Moreover, it is worth admitting that 77 percent support the statement that “this time of my life, it still seems like anything is possible.” Besides the given percentages of the interviewed adutls, a little bit fewer, yet definitely a thumping majority supported the argument that “overall, my life will be better than my parent’s lives have been.”

As for the recent Clark University poll, it is necessary to take in to consideration the thing that it was directed by the professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett; and among the other fundamental findings, the professor makes mention of the following ones:

1. The majority of those surveyed emerged to be characterized by having close ties; moreover, approximately 87 percent of the interviewees stated that they’d “found their soulmate”
2. About 82 percent of the interviewees advanced an argument that possessing a job was the matter of great importance; in accordance with the respondents, it is possible to conclude that one should definitely have a job that “does some good in the world.”
3. A thumping majority claimed that they were are quite optimistic upon being 30 years-old.

It is worth drawing attention to that the report, which is under discussion, provides a surprisingly new understanding of the adults aged between 25 and 39. On the other hand, the given research also entails a number of new questions. The professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett paid special attention to the need to clarify many issues concerning the controversial viewpoints of today’s adults. He makes mention in his report summary that one should make it clear why the majority of established adults are aware that they can reach whatever they are interested in, and such things as the commitments in love as well as work are not likely to prevent them from becoming successful. As a result, the professor of psychology clearly understands the significance of further surveys on the variety of important issues.

Analysis

Analyzing the recent Clark University research, it is necessary to make mention that one cannot but encounter the new information that the director of the poll managed to convey to the public. Moving through the text, it becomes apparent that the today’s adults are surprisingly prone to optimistic understanding of the present-day requirements. It becomes clear that the authors of the discussion report did especially well in making it certain that the results inevitably correspond to reality, since the poll was based on interviewing a thousand respondents. The way that the report is organized allows the readers to clearly come to understanding the message that it contains – the need to rethink the prevailing perspective of today’s generation. The point is that despite the remarkably huge difference between the peculiarities of entering adulthood by the parents and their children, it is still obvious that today’s adults emerged to be rather responsible and possess strong interests in absolutely adequate things, including close relationship, a good job, and continuing the human race.

Considering the issue of the main weaknesses than one can distinguish while reading the discussion report, it is necessary to make mention that the director of a recent Clark University poll vividly realized the emergence of a number of new questions as the result of the findings that he together with the co-authors managed to make. The thing is that the professor of psychology occurred to be concerned about the reasons why today’s adults behave this way. Despite the fact that the research contains the results that one can consider as the key to unveiling the awareness of modern-day people, it does not give the answers to a dozen of questions. What it means is that a recent Clark University research offers the list of questions that the respondents were asked and, the answers, respectively. On the basis of the answers given by those surveyed, it becomes apparent that today’s adults are characterized by following certain life values; all in all, it does not permit us to understand why they behave this way even though there is a number of negative influences. As a result, it is possible to emphasize such a weakness of Clark University report that one cannot decode modern-day adults’ mechanism of taking decisions. Among the limitations of the methods used while conducting a survey of today’s adults, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that, in accordance with many experts on statistical investigations, the statistics is not likely to provide absolutely trustworthy results; statics is not as accurate as it might seem, and there are many facts of using it to lie. Consequently, one should be conscious that there have to be some other scientific methods utilized so as to consider the findings as completely reliable.

In my view, the most memorable and important about the study is the conclusion that a big number of adults do not lose heart even though they are forced to undergo dreadful trials. When reading the preferential ideas that the respondents proved to have, it becomes clear that they are quite content with their life. The thing is that the 21^st century incorporates a variety of new perils on the way to reaching the hardest goals. Regardless of this fact, the adults of today’s generation are still optimistic and eager to fight for the right to live a decent life. Evidently, such a predominant practice of holding out against the trials of up-to-date world incites to get stronger.

References

Arnett, J. J., Schwab, J. (2014). The Clark University Poll of Established Adults Ages 25-39

Becoming Established Adults: Busy, Joyful, Stressed — and Still Dreaming Big. Worcester, MA: Clark University.clarku.edu/clarkpoll