Section 9: Emerging and Early Adulthood

Why learn about developmental changes during emerging adulthood?

Historically, early adulthood was considered to last from approximately the age of 18 (the end of adolescence) until 40 or 45 (the beginning of middle adulthood). More recently, developmentalists have divided this 25-year age period into two separate stages: Emerging adulthood followed by early adulthood. Although these age periods differ in their physical, cognitive, and social development, overall, the age period from 18 to 40 is a time of peak physical capabilities and the emergence of more mature cognitive development, financial independence, and the establishment of intimate relationships.

Emerging adulthood is found mainly in industrialized countries, where most young people obtain tertiary education, and the median age of entering marriage and parenthood is around 30. There are variations in emerging adulthood within industrialized countries. It lasts longest in Europe, and in Asian industrialized countries, the self-focused freedom of emerging adulthood is balanced by obligations to parents and by conservative views of sexuality. In non-industrialized countries, although today, emerging adulthood exists only among the middle-class elite, it can be expected to grow in the 21st century as these countries become more affluent.