Understanding Emerging Adulthood and Gender Roles

Adulthood

Adulthood is a gradual, lifelong process.

Transitioning to adulthood

Includes factors like leaving home, finishing school, and starting a career.

Legal age of adulthood in Canada

Age 18 marks the legal age of adulthood.

Adjusting to independent living

Comes with challenges and benefits.

Emerging Adulthood

Defined as a transition from adolescence to adulthood (ages 18-34).

Criteria for Emerging Adulthood

Not a well-defined stage in Western culture, with criteria like becoming self-reliant and reaching legal adulthood.

Baby Boomers

(1947-1966): 24.9% of the population; larger families during a prosperous time.

Generation X

(1963-1981): 19.1% of the population; fewer children born due to lower fertility rates.

Millennials

(1980-1995): 21.4% of the population; children of Baby Boomers, smaller families, largest cohort.

Generation Z

(1996-2012): 8.6% of the population; more educated, diverse, and influenced by technology.

Generation Alpha

(2013-2021): Expected to be smaller in size than previous generations.

Failure to Launch

Delayed transitions in adulthood (leaving home, marriage, starting a family).

Causes of Failure to Launch

Include financial strain, workplace demands, and longer lifespans allowing more time for development.

Boomerang Age

The phenomenon of young adults returning to their parents' home after becoming independent, often due to student debt and financial difficulties.

Reasons for Delayed Transitions to Adulthood

Include prolonged schooling, unstable employment, rising housing costs, living with parents, and changing gender roles.

Prolonged Schooling

Increased necessity for higher education due to an economy based on technical and information-based skills.

Impact of Higher Education on Earnings

University degrees provide significantly higher earnings and lower unemployment rates.

Parental Expectations on Schooling

95% believe it's important for their children to continue schooling after high school.

Tuition Fees and Student Debt

Rising faster than inflation and increasing student debt lead to financial dependence on parents.

Higher Education and Marriage

Higher education improves chances of marriage but delays first unions (marriage/parenthood) as students wait until completing their studies.

Unstable Employment

Shift from full-time lifetime employment to part-time work with fewer benefits contributes to job insecurity, especially for men.

Rising Housing Costs

Housing prices have increased faster than income, forcing young adults to need two incomes to afford home ownership.

Living with Parents

Many young adults live with their parents due to financial burdens like education costs, unemployment, or low-paying jobs.

Changing Gender Roles

Women are more educated, have higher earnings, and are more likely to stay in the workforce after marriage and childbirth.

Comparison of Emerging Adults in 1971 and 2001

In 1971, 75% of 22-year-olds had left school; in 2001, 50% were still in school.

Changes Between Emerging Adults in 2001 and 2024

Further delayed transitions due to increased educational attainment and rising student debt.

Prehistoric Society

In many species, young individuals leave home upon reaching sexual maturity to avoid incest.

Pre-Industrial Youth

No adolescence: Children worked from a young age (7-8 years old).

Pre-Industrial Youth

Girls became mothers.

Pre-Industrial Youth

Boys followed their father's craft or work.

Pre-Industrial Youth

Poor families sent children to wealthier households to work.

Pre-Industrial Youth

Girls: domestic servants.

Pre-Industrial Youth

Boys: laborers or apprentices.

Pre-Industrial Youth

Upper-class children began working later and had less emotional bonding with parents.

Pre-Industrial Youth

High mortality rates: Half of the children died before age 20.

Industrialization and Urbanization

Production shifted out of homes, and children began working in factories with their fathers.

Industrialization and Urbanization

Wages were collected by fathers until children turned 17.

Industrialization and Urbanization

Young people remained at home until around 24, contributing to the family income.

Industrialization and Urbanization

Early marriages were more affordable during this time.

Development of Schooling

Child labor was abolished in the late 19th century, and formal schooling was introduced.

Development of Schooling

Parents resisted schooling, believing children should work instead.

Development of Schooling

Until World War II, children typically left school at age 14 to begin working.

Post-WWII Changes

1960s-70s: Post-secondary education became more accessible.

Post-WWII Changes

By the end of the 20th century, post-secondary education became a common expectation, prolonging the transition to adulthood.

Changing Workplace in the 20th Century

Decline in job availability for young adults led to raising the school-leaving age to 16.

Changing Workplace in the 20th Century

By the 1990s, leaving school before 18 was considered 'dropping out.'

High School Dropout Rates in Ontario

1990: Women: 13.4%, Men: 18.1%.

High School Dropout Rates in Ontario

2009: Women: 5.1%, Men: 9.3%.

Accordion Families across Cultures

Accordion Families: Multigenerational households where adult children move back home, often due to economic or cultural reasons.

Japanese Culture

Accepted as part of familial responsibilities.

Japanese Culture

Economic instability and difficulty finding full-time employment contribute to this trend.

Spanish Culture

Common for young adults to stay with parents due to high unemployment rates and economic challenges.

Spanish Culture

Strong family ties emphasize support of adult children.

Italian Culture

Frequent for adult children to live with parents due to cultural norms.

Italian Culture

Driven by economic pressures like high housing costs and limited job opportunities.

American Culture

Emphasis on independence, but boomerang kids are becoming more normalized due to rising education and housing costs.

American Culture

Some stigma remains around living with parents.

Theoretical Perspectives on Emerging Adulthood

Structural Functionalism: Emerging adulthood prepares individuals for adult roles in society.

Theoretical Perspectives on Emerging Adulthood

Conflict Theory: Focuses on economic and social barriers.

Theoretical Perspectives on Emerging Adulthood

Ecological Systems Theory: Considers the broader environment influencing the individual's transition to adulthood.

Canadian Case Study

Economic challenges: student debt, difficulty finding stable employment, and high living costs.

Caitlin's Transition Reflects Canadian Trends

Reflects broader trends of young adults moving back home due to economic instability and high costs of living.

How Caitlin's Transition Differs from Trends

Caitlin's return may be temporary, whereas some young adults face prolonged periods at home due to ongoing financial challenges.

Costs and Benefits of Caitlin's Return (Exchange Theory)

Costs for Caitlin: Loss of independence, potential conflict with parents.

Costs and Benefits of Caitlin's Return (Exchange Theory)

Benefits for Caitlin: Financial savings, emotional support, less job pressure.

Costs and Benefits of Caitlin's Return (Exchange Theory)

Costs for Parents: Financial strain, household disruption.

Costs and Benefits of Caitlin's Return (Exchange Theory)

Benefits for Parents: Emotional closeness, opportunity to guide their child.

How Caitlin May Become Independent

Securing stable employment, managing finances, developing life skills (e.g., budgeting, household management).

Challenges Caitlin Might Face Living on Her Own

Struggles with budgeting, adjusting to responsibilities of independent living (e.g., household expenses, cooking), and emotional/social challenges without parental support.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors required to function effectively in society.

Primary Socialization

Occurs early in life, typically within the family.

Family

Primary context of socialization: Parents are role models who guide children's behaviors.

Secondary Socialization

Learning appropriate behavior within smaller sections of the larger society.

Peers

During adolescence, peers have more influence than parents or teachers.

School & Work

School: First step for formal education and social interaction outside the family.

Media

Values of popular culture are communicated through advertising.

Resocialization

Process of adapting to a new social environment by learning new norms and values.

Anticipatory Socialization

Preparing for future roles by adopting behaviors or attitudes associated with those roles in advance.

Forming an Occupation

Work is a key step toward independence and pursuing dreams.

How Occupational Choice Affects Self-Esteem

Alignment with values boosts self-esteem, while misalignment decreases it.

Economic

A well-paying job enhances financial independence and self-worth; job insecurity can lead to stress.

Gender Roles - Women

Traditionally seen in domestic roles.

Gender Roles - Men

Traditionally seen as breadwinners.

Gender Roles - Children

Traditionally, children were socialized based on gender.

Employment Rates

Higher employment rates offer more opportunities for success; high unemployment creates challenges for self-worth.

Influence of Family

Meeting family expectations can affect career choices and self-esteem.

Influence of Peers

Adolescents can choose their social groups.

Influence of School

Teachers impart knowledge and social skills.

Influence of Media

Emerging adults are more influenced by media due to increased purchasing power.

Gender Norms

These gender norms are maintained through language, media, and consumerism, which continue to shape expectations for both men and women.

Examples of Family Socialization

Teaching values like respect and responsibility.

Examples of Peer Socialization

Influence on behavior, language, and clothing choices.

Examples of School Socialization

Teaching teamwork, discipline, and responsibility.

Families

Families play a key role in socializing youth.

Cultural values

Cultural values, societal norms, and family traditions shape what is considered a 'normal' childhood.

Functionalist Perspective

Gender roles created to maintain social stability. Men as providers and women as caregivers support societal structure.

Symbolic Interactionism

Gender is performed through actions and behaviours that align with societal expectations. It is not inherent but enacted based on social interactions.

Gender Conflict Theory

Focuses on power struggles and inequalities between men and women. Gender roles are seen as a form of oppression benefiting men.

Intersectionality

Explains how race, class, and gender create layers of discrimination or privilege.

Consumerism

Consumer products and advertising reinforce traditional gender roles.