Emerging adulthood is a newly defined life stage. It was first proposed from an interview of 300 young people between the ages of 18 and 29. The study found that many of the subjects felt that they were clear of adolescent problems, but that they still felt a close tie with their parents and family (Munsey, 2006). They felt “in between” adolescence and adulthood. This essay will explore cultural aspects of emerging adulthood.

As an emerging adult in American culture person is supposed to have a plan of action for their life. They are expected to move away from their family and begin independent life. They are expected to obtain employment or further their education. They are expected to responsible for their own actions. The parents may still help them financially to some degree, but they are expected to wean themselves from this help. They may begin thinking about marriage at this point.

Definitions of when emerging adulthood begins and when it ends differ. The emerging adult state is determined by mental and emotional development more so than the person’s chronological age. On average, young adulthood begins at about age 18 and continues until around 25 (Munsey, 2006). However, culture, environment, and life experience can extend this average by several years on either end.

Emerging adults from ethnic minorities often take on adult responsibilities earlier than Americans. Many times they have been taking care of siblings, earning an income, and contributing to the family beginning in the middle teen years. As emerging adults, they also struggle with finding own identity, both individually and culturally (Munsey, 2006). Ethnic emerging adults demonstrate a higher level of maturity at an earlier age than Americans.

One example of this occurs in Hispanic and African American families with a large number of children. Often, the older children in these families will have to help with caregiving roles at an early age. In some cases, children under the age of 10 will have to help out with younger siblings who are toddlers. This experience gives them a greater sense of responsibility at an early age. They can resemble a person who is an emerging adult while still an adolescent.

Emerging and young adulthood can be a time of emotional insecurity and instability. Personality continues to change over the course of a lifetime (Specht, Egloff, & Schmukle, 2011). The more stability a person gains as an emerging adult, the more stable they are likely to be in middle adulthood. Intrinsic maturation is a primary factor in a person’s reactions to life events and their eventual increase in rank-order and stability (Specht, Egloff, & Schmukle, 2011). The earlier a person reaches a point of stability and security, the more likely they will be emotionally adjusted when they reach middle adulthood. Those that are still insecure as they reach their early 30s are not as likely to make the successful transition into the security and stability that is associated with middle adulthood. By middle adulthood, the person is expected to have financial stability and an established career.

Early adulthood is about finding security and stability in taking care of one’s own needs. Middle adulthood is about find the security and stability to take care of yourself and a family. By middle adulthood, a person is expected to have some put aside for retirement. The earlier a person does this, the more stable they will be in later life. The key in gaining the security and stability to begin planning for the future early in life. The more experiences a person has early on that challenge them, the more they will have to build on and gain the confidence and sense of identity that they need. A healthy emerging adult provides the basis for becoming successful in middle adulthood.