The Phases of Aging

A Summary of Reclaiming Adulthood as a Social Category

Elizabeth Boos

Foundations of Psychology/PSY201

November 6, 2011

Megan Colbeth

I chose this topic because the author included adolescence through adulthood in three separate stages. If I had to write a research paper on this topic, I would not choose this article because the author and his references are mainly concerned with the negative element of living to old age.

The author’s intent is to elaborate the social constitution of adulthood in three steps. In the first step the transition from adolescence to adulthood occurs between the ages of 18 and 30. These transitions are measured by the individual’s ability or willingness to progress into adulthood by achieving certain benchmarks. The author notes that in Western society, young people are refusing to grow up or are rejecting adulthood altogether. He bases his conclusions on delayed or forfeited family formation and marriage, prolonged stays or frequent returns to the parental home, long periods of education, leisure pursuits, and practices. He believes these factors precipitate moral decline. This trend has become prevalent in countries throughout the world. He notes that the U.S. National Academy of Sciences considers the end of adolescence at 30. However, there is no social scientific consensus on beginnings and endings.

In the second step of adulthood, the securities of the post war era allowed people to plan a relatively coherent future, but that is no longer true. From an economic viewpoint, the future is not certain. Change becomes a normal aspect of life. People have the option to choose in all spheres of life, more so than in the past. People feel they can rely on their own resources to gain control of their future and become their own individuality.

The third step introduces a questioning period of reflection on exactly who is the individual person. The answer is central to self-understanding. The author states...