Psychology

Suffering, selfish, slackers? Myths and reality about emerging adults

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Many myths about adolescence have been refuted by research, but similar myths have grown up in recent years around emerging adulthood. This essay addresses three of those myths: the claim that they suffer from a normative "crisis"; the accusations that they are "selfish"; and their alleged reluctance to "grow up" and become adults. For each issue, evidence is presented showing that the myths exaggerate or falsify the true experience of emerging adults.

Publication Title

Journal of Youth and Adolescence

Publication Date

2007

Volume

36

Issue

1

First Page

23

Last Page

29

ISSN

0047-2891

DOI

10.1007/s10964-006-9157-z

Keywords

emerging adulthood, stereotypes, storm and stress, transition to adulthood

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