What has happened to the length of adolescents?
Adolescence lasts longer today than ever before. Teens start puberty earlier and enter adult roles of work and family later
What are 4 social redefinition themes?
- Identity - attainment of adult status causes adolescents to feel more mature
- Autonomy - shifts in responsibility, independence and freedom
- Intimacy, dating, and marriage - new decisions about sexual activity
- Achievement - becoming full-time employee; leave school of own volition
What do social inventionist say about adolescence?
They argued that adolescence, is a period in the life cycle that is equal to social invention or construction
What new terms are used for adolescence?
Youth, teenager, emerging adulthood.
What are emerging adults?
Age 18 -29 who according to Dr. Jeffery Arnett its marked by identity exploration, feeling of ‘in between’, instability, self-focus and a sense of possibility.
What are some social focus’ what put off becoming a real adult?
- Expansion of higher education
- Macro-economic changes requiring flexibility and mobility
- Parental support will into the 20s
- Pill and contraceptives
- Cultural saturation of mass consumer entertainment
Societies differ in the process of social redefinition on two important dimensions:
- Clarity - Explicitness of transition
2. Continuity - Smoothness of transition