REQUIRED READING

· Hutchison, E. D. (2019).  Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

· Chapter 7, "Young Adulthood" (pp. 231-267)

1)POST the following

· Describe  two traditional markers associated with young adult development.

· Describe roles that social workers can adopt in addressing the outcomes of development in young adulthood.

· Explain how one theoretical perspective can be used to analyze development at this stage.

2. Respond to  two colleagues

· Explain why you agree or disagree with your colleague’s use of a theoretical approach.

RESPONSE1

Education and romantic partnerships are two typical indicators of young adulthood. Many people believe that going to college or a vocational school is the first step towards becoming financially and socially self-sufficient. Finding a significant other or other close friends or family members around this time can be a sign that one is mature enough to handle life outside of school.

There are several ways in which social workers can help with issues stemming from adolescent and young adult development. This includes helping and guiding young adults during this formative period in their lives. Help with things like job searches, finding a place to live, and managing mental health issues are all within the social worker's purview. They can also teach young adults how to have positive interactions with others and improve their communication skills.

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is a useful lens through which to examine growth at this period. Erikson argued that the process of developing a "sense of identity" was crucial for young adults. This involves checking one's sense of self and one's knowledge of one's own abilities and limitations. This is seen as a crucial step towards full social acceptance. If it works, people will be more flexible and assured as they go to the next level. On the other hand, failure can leave people feeling like a loss of self and inhibit their initiative.  This is according to research (Hutchison, 2019).

References:

Hutchison, E. D. (2019).  Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

· Chapter 7, "Young Adulthood" (pp. 231-267)

RESPONSE2

Some scholars “define young adulthood as the point at which young person’s become functioning members of the community, demonstrated by obtaining gainful employment, developing their own social networks, and establishing independent housing” (Hutchison, 2018, pg.234). Young adulthood becomes a time of individual goals versus social obligations. Two traditional markers of obtaining adulthood is leaving home and establishing independent, stable housing and becoming a parent. Each individual’s timeline and trajectory is different and influenced by their family, peers, and societal expectations. Some young adults leave home and try to establish stability on their own to make their family proud. Other family’s vale a close multi-generational household and they continue living with their parents until after college or they marry. “With marriage and parenthood now seen as “optional” aspects of adulthood, establishing a non-family, independent household has now become a normative marker” (Aronson, 2008).

Social workers should work to help educate young adults with parenting skills to overcome environmental obstacles that can lead to child maltreatment. Low income and single parents are the group most at risk of transitioning into parenthood difficultly. Social workers can help bridge the gap to adulthood by developing mentor programs with older generations and being culturally sensitive and aware of specific challenges within different cultures of young adults.

Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory defines young adulthood as “the time when individuals move from the identity fragmentation, confusion, and exploration of adolescence into more intimate engagement with significant others” (Hutchison, 2018, pg. 236). Erickson believes that individuals in this stage must overcome intimacy versus isolation in order to not feel disconnected from society. Individuals do not successfully complete this stage of development if they do not build connections within their environment.

 

 

 

Aronson P. (2008). The Markers and Meanings of Growing Up: Contemporary Young Women's Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood.  Gender & society : official publication of Sociologists for Women in Society,  22, 56–82. 

 

Hutchison, E. D. (2018).  Dimensions of Human Behavior (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).