Contemporary Czech Emerging Adults

Abstract

Similarly to other European countries, in the Czech Republic scholars can identify a developmental stage of emerging adulthood. There has been a lack of studies describing subjective feelings and personal everyday experiences of young Czechs at this age. Results of the quantitative Study 1 indicate that two thirds of respondents experience the present time as the age of feeling in-between. Demographic and social characteristics are related to the subjective developmental status. Psychological characteristics also differentiate: Compared with emerging adults, the adults consider themselves as more emotionally stable, have a clearer idea about their future, and view adult life as more attractive. Qualitative Study 2 aims to specify feelings and experiences of contemporary emerging adults. The respondents especially emphasize the feeling of freedom, which may be viewed in connection with social changes in Czech society. However, often freedom correlates with anxieties and doubts concerning not only individual competencies and possibilities but also others' behavior.