Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties.

TLDR

Emerging adulthood is a proposed developmental stage for ages 18–25, emphasizing late‑teen to twenty‑year‑old development. Evidence indicates that emerging adulthood is a distinct period demographically, subjectively, and in identity exploration, differing from adolescence and young adulthood, and occurs only in cultures that allow prolonged independent role exploration.

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is proposed as a new conception of development for the period from the late teens through the twenties, with a focus on ages 18-25. A theoretical background is presented. Then evidence is provided to support the idea that emerging adulthood is a distinct period demographically, subjectively, and in terms of identity explorations. How emerging adulthood differs from adolescence and young adulthood is explained. Finally, a cultural context for the idea of emerging adulthood is outlined, and it is specified that emerging adulthood exists only in cultures that allow young people a prolonged period of independent role exploration during the late teens and twenties.