Oh, Grow Up! Generational Grumbling and the New Life Stage of Emerging Adulthood

Introduction

The article addresses the negative perception of young people today.
It questions whether this perception is based on evidence or is a myth.
Trzesniewski and Donnellan's (2010) research indicates that claims of a decline in young people are exaggerated.
High school seniors in the early 21st century are similar to those in the late 1970s across various measures.
The author aims to provide an additional explanation for the negative perception of young people.

The period beyond high school has changed significantly.
Young people now enter adult roles later, typically in their late 20s.
A new life stage called emerging adulthood has emerged, spanning from the late teens to the mid-20s.
This new life stage is a key reason for the negative perception of young people.

The delayed entry into adult roles is misinterpreted as selfishness.
Identity explorations are misinterpreted as widespread suffering.
The search for identity-based work is seen as being uninterested in "real" work.
High hopes for the future are misinterpreted as grandiosity.

The timing of entering adult roles has changed rapidly over the past three decades.
In 1976, the median marriage age in the United States was between 22 and 23 years old.
By 2006, the median marriage age had risen to nearly 27.
College participation has also increased, especially for women.
From 1976 to 2006, the number of young women entering college after high school doubled.
By 2006 two thirds of women entered college after high school and 57% of American undergraduates were female
These changes have led to the emergence of emerging adulthood.
Older generations may apply outdated norms to emerging adults, leading to misinterpretations.
Emerging adulthood is a self-focused age with minimal social control and greater independence.
Emerging adults are less egocentric than adolescents and better at understanding others' perspectives.
They realize that the self-directed action is temporary.
The majority enter long-term work, marriage, or parenthood by age 30.

Identity explorations are now more prominent during emerging adulthood than adolescence.
Exploring options in love and work can be exciting but also disorienting.
These identity challenges can be misinterpreted as suffering.
The "quarterlife crisis" idea reflects this perception.
Studies show that well-being, self-esteem, and life satisfaction generally increase during emerging adulthood.
Serious psychopathology is rare, and most experience identity challenges positively.

Emerging adults have high hopes for the future, which may be labeled as "narcissism."
They generally believe that life will be kind to them.
They may face job changes, love upheavals, and financial difficulties, but remain optimistic.
They aspire to find the right job, love partner, and financial stability.
Expectations for educational attainment have increased, reflecting economic changes.
It is realistic to recognize the increasing economic reward for postsecondary education.
Emerging adults adjust their dreams as they approach 30, adapting to reality.

Negative portrayals of young Americans are not based on evidence that they are worse than previous generations.
The rise of emerging adulthood has caused a mismatch in expectations.
Emerging adulthood may become a valued life stage for identity explorations.
It is likely to be a permanent addition to the life course in industrialized and developing countries.
Trends such as widespread postsecondary education and delayed marriage are expected to continue.
Emerging adulthood is here to stay.