Background
Early adulthood is typically defined as the period between the ages of 20 and 39. Making decisions and developing emotions are essential for entering the early stages of adulthood. Children may encounter various challenges during this stage. Various developmental processes, including biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, influence these issues.
One of the most fundamental challenges people face in early adulthood is defining their identity or personality and determining how they fit into society. Individuals seek purpose in their lives and consider what they want to accomplish as they grow older, in addition to seeking independence from their parents.
They also begin to have their values, beliefs, political ideologies, and tastes, and seek financial independence. Most people decide about their future jobs and relationships during this time, including whether to get married, have children, or live with a significant other. Individuals struggling to build long-term romantic relationships or find their place within social circles may struggle in both areas.
Individuals in their early twenties will likely be in the best physical shape and have the most energy and endurance. Many people have their first encounters with substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, and opioids when they enter adulthood. It is frequently regarded as a rite of passage or “coming of age” event. Individuals are vulnerable to alcohol and drug addiction, as well as drug dependence. It is due to peer pressure or a desire to conform to societal norms (Abrahams et al., 2019).
Cognitive processes such as decision-making and abstract cognition emerge in early adulthood. On the other hand, individuals in their early twenties are typically associated with risky behaviors such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, sexual promiscuity, and substance misuse.
Biological Challenges
When a person reaches the peak of physiological aging-related changes, natural factors begin to exert their influence. Several factors contribute, including genes, hormones, food, and others. Even after a developing young adult has reached puberty, the human body will be subjected to the effects of this force. The most critical factors in a young adult’s physical development are their genetic makeup and the quality of their meals. Some people are born with a healthy set of genes, grow to adulthood at an average rate, and do not develop cancerous cells in most cases. They will reach adulthood in good physical condition, with a well-balanced diet and exercise program (Hicks-Patrick et al., 2021).
When a young adult has to choose between eating fast food and drinking liquids, they face a severe biological quandary. Young adults who consume excessive energy drinks and high-calorie foods are more prone to developing health issues. Since young adults are unlikely to be hungry, they can continue consuming energy drinks, large meals, and possibly alcohol. His physical degradation will be accelerated by the passage of time.
Young adults may be starving their bodies without realizing it, as the body’s cells require a more nutrient-dense diet than is currently being provided. In general, early adulthood is associated with relatively good health. Impulsiveness, emotionality, and the ability to become aroused are biological factors that can affect how they react to stimuli. For example, if someone is furious, others might make fun of them or tape a paper bag with a label behind them.
For growth and development to occur, glandular secretions need to be in equilibrium. According to the Rosicrucian system, seven different kinds of glands are determined by the prominence of the genitalia, the adrenal glands, the pancreas, the thyroid gland, and the pituitary gland (Hicks-Patrick et al., 2021). Each glandular type can be identified by its unique musculature, skin type, skeletal structure, and degree of hairiness.
Psychological Challenges
The journey from childhood to adulthood involves several mental, emotional, and behavioral changes. The most visible alterations occur during a person’s youth, but changes can also occur with age. Occasionally, being an adult involves comprehending the decisions that have been made. A youngster, for example, will base their decisions on their needs and desires.
However, an adult will recognize that this is not the wisest action. The concept known as “cognitive override” refers to the situation in which an adult consciously decides not to act on a specific want or need because they are an adult. It remains true far into old age when a person has acquired greater emotional control and a measure of knowledge.
Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders among young adults. The primary reasons for these cases include interpersonal violence, ethnicity, racial discrimination, and the impression of being undesired by society. Self-injury has been connected to various mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, and a negative mental state that endures throughout childhood, all of which have been associated with the development of prevalent mental diseases in adulthood (Hicks-Patrick et al., 2021).
A self-inflicted injury that does not result in death is the major risk factor for future suicide, which is the second-highest cause of death among adults aged 10 to 24 worldwide, behind motor vehicle accidents. Global suicide rates exhibit a wide range of variations.
Sociocultural Challenges
Sociocultural elements comprise a collection of ideas, concepts, and beliefs that influence an individual’s level of maturity and development. Examples of this type of force include morality, habits, and customs. The sociocultural aspects of a young adult’s life are used to assess their level of maturity and participation in society. Young adults who refuse to accept their place in society are ridiculed and labeled childish or eccentric.
Early adulthood is characterized by an emphasis on acquiring the ability to communicate intimacy and a desire to build relationships and find love on a more intimate level. This stage of life is also characterized by the desire to express intimacy. Marriage and parenthood frequently follow the formation of long-term romantic relationships (Herrero Romero et al., 2018). Certain aspects of socioemotional functioning may be encouraged or discouraged depending on whether a culture employs mechanisms that facilitate or inhibit behavior.
In addition, cultural beliefs can offer guidance for comprehending and evaluating social activities, thereby imbuing them with significance. Since they provide a social context for it, a society’s sociocultural aspects impact its development. Their life experiences shape the various sociocultural consequences that young adults encounter, and as a result, their personality is influenced by these experiences.
An individual’s sociocultural background influences interactions with other members of society. Individuals’ various developmental experiences are contingent upon the social and cultural milieu in which they are raised. These influences include a person’s upbringing, the caliber of their education, and their interactions with their peers. Young adults who can participate in a wide range of activities at a younger age are more self-confident and better equipped to overcome obstacles.
Lifecycle Forces
During a person’s lifetime, they are subject to several factors collectively referred to as lifecycle forces. Some stages that people can look forward to happening in their lifetimes include having children, getting sick, and eventually passing away. The life cycle’s forces reflect the various ways in which a single experience can have various effects on individuals of different ages (Birren, 1999). A singular synthesis of these various influences on a person’s life.
No two people, not even members of the same family, face the same life challenges and pressures. Even between identical twins, there may be differences in their friend networks, relationships, and jobs. The lifecycle forces reflect physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural impacts at various stages throughout the lifespan (Birren, 1999).
The stages of life a person is currently in, as well as their age, overall health, financial situation, and social support network, all play a crucial role in their development. The stages of life during which various factors influence a person’s development begin with birth and continue through old age.
Factors That Might Exacerbate the Challenges: A South African Case Study
In South Africa, the transition to adulthood is marked by several identifiable milestones. Firstly, the region has one of the nation’s highest education rates, with an almost nonexistent gender gap. Despite the abolition of apartheid, racial disparities in educational accomplishment and school performance persist due to high school fees and continuing segregation, neither of which has diminished. A survey in Cape Town revealed that 83 percent of white pupils in grades 8 and 9 had advanced three years by 2005, but just 34 percent of children of color and 27 percent of Africans had accomplished the same feat (Herrero Romero et al., 2018).
Despite a higher rate of grade failure and grade repetition than teens of other races, African adolescents are more likely to finish their education through secondary school. Second, South Africa’s youth unemployment rate is high and varies significantly by race. Statistics South Africa reported in 2005 that in the 2001 census, African and colored youth ages 20 to 24 had jobless rates of 39 and 30 percent, respectively, whereas white youth ages 20 to 24 had an unemployment rate of only 8 percent (Herrero Romero et al., 2018). The limited job market opportunities created by the continuing spatial segregation are partially responsible for African-American youth’s disproportionately high secondary school attendance rates.
In terms of marriage and having children, the end of apartheid in South Africa has led to a reduction in the country’s marriage rate, notably among Africans. Both men and women in Sub-Saharan Africa often marry at a later age than their counterparts in other parts of the continent. In South Africa, the average age of marriage for women aged 26 to 50 is 28. For unmarried African men and women aged 26 to 30, it was 62% and 76%, respectively, in 2001 (Herrero Romero et al., 2018).
Due to the country’s declining marriage rate, non-marital cohabitation unions have yet to establish themselves in South Africa. Finally, despite South Africa’s low general fertility rate, notably among Africans, the country’s young people have unusually high fertility rates. In 2002, three-quarters of all women aged 18 and older had at least one child. Schoolgirls in South Africa who become pregnant while in school are not expelled, as in other sub-Saharan African countries, but are instead allowed to return when their children are born.
Mitigating the Negative Effects of the Challenges
Community-based services have the potential to provide prevention and innovative solutions for young people at risk of becoming involved in the justice system and assistance for those already involved in the justice system seeking alternative pathways. A wide range of developmental assets may help young people achieve long-term success and avoid involvement in legal proceedings. These assets include positive relationships, support networks, stability and financial security, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to hard work.
An overview of relevant research, specific examples of how communities in the United States are innovating to meet the needs of emerging adults, and key takeaways from conversations with emerging adults. Practitioners in the justice and social service sectors can put this knowledge to good use by establishing and improving community-based care systems and opportunities for newly emancipated people.
Theoretical Explanation: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
According to Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of human needs, there are five crucial stages that a person must go through to develop psychologically fully. It includes a person’s physiological needs, their need for safety, their need for social belonging, their need for self-esteem, and their need to actualize themselves.
Physiological needs are the requirements that a human being needs to survive, and if those requirements are not met, the body will not be able to function correctly (Crandall et al., 2019). These are the bare necessities: food, a place to sleep, and clothes. Physiological needs are met after the physiological needs have been met. They include health and safety from harm caused by accidents or natural phenomena, personal security, and financial security.
The social well-being of an individual is the third requirement for human beings. According to Maslow, this is a person’s sense of belonging and acceptance in a given social group, including family, religious groups, clubs, or working groups. Such social belonging includes belonging to a family, being in an intimate relationship, and having friends (Crandall et al., 2019).
Self-esteem is the highest stage of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. At this point in their development, people want to be respected, accepted, and valued by the people around them. People tend to compete with one another for recognition, which drives the desire for fame, status in society, attention, and glory. Lack of this need may lead to low self-esteem and helplessness. The self-actualization stage comes in as the final stage.
Personality Traits That Aid in Mitigating the Challenges
Individuals can be distinguished based on thought, emotion, and behavior patterns, which are considered broadly stable across time. These are referred to as personality traits. How one understands the term “relatively enduring” can play a role in determining whether or not certain personality traits continue to develop into adulthood. The five basic personality traits are extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism (Birren, 1999).
Individuals with this personality trait are typically associated with high degrees of thinking, reasonable impulse control, and goal-directed activities. People with high conscientiousness are typically organized and attentive to detail. They are attentive to deadlines, think about how others might be affected by their actions, and plan accordingly.
Openness is a personality attribute characterized by qualities such as inventiveness and insight. An individual who has a high level of openness tends to have a diverse set of interests. They are eager to learn new things, have new experiences, and have a natural interest in the outside world and people.
References
Abrahams, L., Pancorbo, G., Primi, R., Santos, D., Kyllonen, P., John, O. P., & De Fruyt, F. (2019). Social-Emotional Skill Assessment in children and adolescents: Advances and challenges in personality, clinical, and educational contexts. Psychological Assessment, 31(4), 460–473. Web.
Birren, J. E. (1999). Handbook of the psychology of aging. Acad. Press.
Crandall, A. A., Powell, E. A., Bradford, G. C., Magnusson, B. M., Hanson, C. L., Barnes, M. D., Novilla, M. L., & Bean, R. A. (2019). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a framework for understanding adolescent depressive symptoms over time. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(2), 273–281. Web.
Herrero Romero, R., Cluver, L., Hall, J., & Steinert, J. (2018). Socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents and educational delay in two provinces in South Africa: Impacts of personal, family and school characteristics. Education as Change, 22(1). Web.
Hicks-Patrick, J., Hayslip, B., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. A. (2021). Adult development and aging: Growth, longevity and challenges. SAGE Publications, Inc.