Pathways Toward Adulthood

This chapter examines how emerging adults form identities in the domains of work and romance. Today’s emerging adults are motivated to self-actualize in both domains, but the path to that end is long and tortuous and now occupies most of their 20s. Emerging adults are now marrying, if at all, in their late 20s or early 30s. Friends and parents are providing the needed support that spouses once provided during the 20s decade. Studies reveal that men and women take slightly divergent pathways to adulthood, but that they ultimately share a similar vision in which both partners can have fulfilling careers while coming together for a committed long-term relationship. The delay of commitment allows for romantic experimentation and learning by trial and error, an opportunity that many emerging adults, particularly those who are well resourced, seem to be taking advantage of.