Jeffrey Arnett Emerging Adulthood Analysis

Jeffrey Arnett presents 4 main reasons as to why she believes society has placed a negative label upon today’s emerging adults. The first one reflects the notion that the average time for adolescents to take on adult roles has changed dramatically over the past three decades. Today’s emerging adults have taken this time of life to continue developing themselves and building a stronger independent foundation rather than binding relationships, which in turn appears “selfish” to most adults. The second possible reason for the negative outlook of adolescents embodies the idea that the time emerging adults take to become more self-aware is now seen as worldwide suffering. The confusion and disorientation that tends to come along with exploring one’s identity, often tends to be misinterpreted as “suffering.” A third potential reason for disparaging todays youth is due to their expectation of work to not only be a source of income but also an exhilarating experienced that is tied to their identity. Emerging adults today aspire to work in an environment that offers fun and creativity, contrary to the popular belief of 21st century adults.