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History Behind Emerging Adulthood.

According to Arnett, each of the following revolutions within the last few decades contributed to the existence of the emerging adulthood stage of life.

The Technology Revolution: This revolution transformed the United States’ (and other industrializing economies) from manufacturing economies to knowledge and skill-based economies. After computers became widespread throughout homes and workplaces, more education was required for employment. This prompted younger adults to spend more and more time in school, rather than working full time or starting families. These a both of which are characteristics generally associated with full-on adults.

The Sexual Revolution: The sexual revolution, which began in the early 1960’s, led to emerging adulthood because young adults began having sexual relations before marriage or having children. This was, in part due to the development of effective methods of contraception. This resulted in postponing the marrying age and parenthood age back a few years, changing the early and mid- twenties from a time of married relationships to a time of uncommitted sexual relationships which were starting earlier. Younger adults were no longer leaving home to get married. Marriage became less and less of a standard or pre-requisite of adulthood. Because of this, this stage of life was no longer characterized by the responsibilities and organization of marriage, leaving younger adults in qualitatively different relationships than before.

The Women’s Movement: The Women’s movement also contributed to the development of emerging adulthood. Women now have options for careers and education that were uncommon in the 1960’s. Because of this, more women spend the emerging adulthood (approximately ages 20-29) pursuing careers and higher education rather than settling down and starting families. This delay in marriage age developed the emerging adult phase of life because many people at this age were exploring and pursuing different paths than then predecessors.

The Youth Movement: This movement represented a shift in the cultural attitudes and perceptions of adulthood. Previous to this movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s, many young people aspired to grow up and become adults who were considered wise, in control, and independent. This movement changed perceptions of adulthood to be less favorable than those of youth. Music and phrases reflected the growing movement to celebrate youth and renounce aging. For example, phrases like “I want to be forever young” and “never trust adults” became increasingly common, and youth began to prevail over wisdom in terms of popularity. Because of this, young adults postponed adulthood and prolonged their youth into their twenties by living independently of conditions and characteristics associated with adulthood. The delay of adulthood and popularization of staying young brought about by this revolution lead to the development of emerging adulthood.