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Development Through the Lifespan
Chapter 14
Emotional and Social Development inEarly Adulthood
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004
Erikson’s Theory:Intimacy versus Isolation
Intimacy Making a permanent
commitment to a life partner
Other close relationships: friends, work
Involves giving up some newfound independence, redefining identity
Isolation Loneliness, self-
absorption
Hesitate to form close ties
Fear of losing identity
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Levinson’s Early Adult Season Early adult transition
Dream Mentor
Early adulthood life structure Men: “settling down” Women: continued instability,
more roles Age 30 transition
Reevaluate life structure Often focus on underdeveloped aspects
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Vaillant’s Adaptation to Life
20s – intimacy concerns 30s – career consolidation 40s – generative 50s–60s – “keepers of
meaning” 70s – spiritual and reflective
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Social Clock Age-graded expectations for
life events Less rigid than in earlier
generations Following a social clock lends
confidence, contributes to social stability
Distress if not following or falling behind
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Selecting a Mate Physical proximity Most select partners who are
similar Gender differences
Women: intelligence, ambition, financials
Men: attractiveness, domestic skills
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Triangular Theory of Love Three components:
Intimacy Passion Commitment
Passionate love early; companionate love later Passion gradually fades while
intimacy, commitment grow Cultural differences
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Friendships in Early Adulthood
Friends usually similar, share common interests Same-sex friendships
Gender differences Individual differences
Other-sex friendships Fewer, shorter-lasting than same-sex Benefits to both genders Sexual attraction regulated
Siblings as friends
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Loneliness and Emotional Distress at Different Ages
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Traditional and Egalitarian MarriagesTraditional – clear division of
roles Woman: cares for husband,
children, home Man: head of household,
economic support
Egalitarian – partners relate as equals
Share authority Balance attention to jobs,
children, home, spouse
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Gender Differences inMarital Satisfaction
Men: Just being married improves physical and mental health Attachment, belonging, social
support
Women: Relationship quality is important Overwhelming demands of many
roles cause dissatisfaction
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Assaults Against Women by Intimate Partners
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Trends in Having Children
Fewer married couples have children 70%
Have first child later Smaller numbers of children
Average less than 2
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Transition to Parenthood
Many profound changes Roles often become more
traditional Marriage can be strained
Problems before children predict problems after
Sharing care predicts happiness Later parenthood eases transition
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How Many Children?
Fewer children today Mothers’ careers Divorce
Advantages of small families: Enhances parent-child interaction Marital satisfaction Healthier, higher IQ children
Large families can work if parents well-educated, higher SES
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Singlehood Increasing
30% males, 20% females ages 30-34 never married; 8-10% single for life
Divorce adds numbers Gender Differences
Women more likely to stay single More high SES women, low SES men single
Ethnic Differences African Americans single longer
Stressful periods Late 20s mid 30s for women
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Increases in Cohabitation
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Divorce and Remarriage Half of U.S., 1/3 Canadian marriages end in divorce; most
involve children Communication problems, individual histories predict
divorce Immediate distress, anxiety, then search
for new identity, new partner New partner more important to men
Remarriages vulnerable Reasons for marriage Negative patterns View divorce as acceptable resolution Stepfamily stress
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Options in Parenthood Childlessness Step Parenting Single parents
Divorced Never married
Gay and Lesbian Parents
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Career Development in Early Adulthood Disappointment near start of career
common Many job changes in 20s
Settle in after evaluation and adjustment Adjust expectations to opportunities to
advance Few opportunities, more work
disengagement Self-efficacy, mentoring affect
adjustment, success Gender and Ethnic Differences
Racial bias
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Women’s Career Development
More often discontinuous Leave for child-rearing, family care
More often in low-paying, low-advancement jobs
Work-family balance challenging Higher level career,
fewer family obligations Dual-earner marriages Role overload