Psychosocial Development in Young Adulthood Chapter 14 2009

Psychosocial Development in Young Adulthood Chapter 14 © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 1

Guideposts for Study l l What influences varied paths to adulthood, and how do emerging adults develop a sense of adult identity and autonomous relationships with their parents? Does personality change during adulthood, and if so, how? How is intimacy expressed in friendship and love? When and why do young adults choose to remain single, form gay or lesbian relationships, cohabit or marry, and how satisfying and stable are those lifestyles? © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 2

Guideposts for Study l l When do most adults become parents, and how does parenthood affect a marriage? What are the trends in divorce rates, and how do young adults adjust to divorce, remarriage and stepparenthood? © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 3

Influences on Paths to Adulthood l Gender l Academic ability l Early attitudes toward education l Expectations in late adolescence l Social class l Ego development © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 4

Recentering l l l Stage 1 — Still embedded in family of origin Stage 2 — Connected to family, but moving toward serious commitments and gaining resources to support them Stage 3 — Independence from family of origin, with increased commitment to career, partner and possibly children © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 5

Identity Development l Contemporary moratorium “Youthhood, ” a permanent alternative to adulthood l Racial/ethnic identity exploration © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 6

Developing Adult Relationships with Parents l l l One measure of how successfully emerging adults handle becoming autonomous is their ability to remain connected with parents. Parents and children seem to get along best when normative life course is followed. Failure to launch—adult children who continue to live with parents © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 7

Personality Development: Four Views l l Normative stage models Timing of events model Trait models Typological models © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 8

Erikson’s Normative Stage Model Intimacy versus isolation l Young adults must make commitments to others or face isolation and selfabsorption l Resolution of this stage results in virtue of ‘love’ l © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 9

Valiant’s Four Patterns of Adaptation Adaptive Mechanisms: – – Mature Immature Psychotic Neurotic © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 10

Levinson’s Stage Model Life Structure The underlying pattern of a person’s life at a given time – Eras and phases – © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 11

Normative Studies of Women l l Women may face different psychological and environmental constraints in forming life structures than men do. Women’s transitions tend to take longer. © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 12

Criticisms of Normative-Stage Models l Generalizability – l Effects of societal events specific to cohorts – – l Small and limited samples Economic depression of the 1930 s Economic expansion after WWII Developmental tasks © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 13

Timing-of-Events Model l l The course of development depends on when events occur in people’s lives Normative life events ‘On time’ or ‘Off time’ l Social Clock © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 14

Trait Models: Five Factors of Personality © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 15

Evaluating Five-Factor Model l l Research has found gradual, systematic change in personality throughout adulthood, not continuity. Five-factor model is based on subjective ratings – may lack validity. © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 16

Typological Models l Personality affects and reflects: – – l Attitudes Values Beliefs Social interactions Use interviews, self-reports, clinical assessments and behavior ratings © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 17

Typological Models: Three Personality Types l l Ego-resilient Overcontrolled Undercontrolled 3 Types differ in: Ego-resiliency: Adaptability under stress Ego-control: Self control © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 18

Foundations of Intimate Relationships l l l Self-disclosure Self-awareness and empathy Ability to communicate emotions Conflict resolution Commitment Sexual decision making © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 19

Friendship in Young Adulthood l l Center on work and parenting activities Sharing of confidences and advice Young singles rely on friendship for social needs Women have social needs met by friends more than men © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 20

Sternberg’s Triangular Subtheory of Love Three Elements of Love: 1. Intimacy – – Emotional element Involves self-disclosure 2. Passion – – Motivational element Translates physiological arousal into sexual desire 3. Commitment – – Cognitive element Decision to love and stay with the beloved © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 21

Single Life l Young adults 25 -34 who have not yet married: 32% women 43% men © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 22

Gay and Lesbian Relationships l l About 40 -60% of gay men and 45 -80% of lesbians are in romantic relationships Differences between gay/lesbian relationships and heterosexuals ones • • • More likely to negotiate household choice Resolve conflicts in more positive atmosphere Less stable, due to lack of institutional supports © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 23

Legalizing Same-Sex Marriages l l World: – Netherlands first to legalize, 2001 – Belgium, 2003 – 16 European countries have recognized same-sex unions. U. S. – Vermont first state to recognize civil unions – Massachusetts first to legalize same-sex marriage 2003 – California Supreme Court strikes down gay marriage ban in 2008 – Legislation pending in several other states © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 24

Cohabitation l l Unmarried couples who are involved in a sexual relationship and live together Wide international variation – – More than 83% of French women before age 45 years Less than 5% of Polish women © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 25

Women’s Expected Cohabitation © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 26

Cohabitation in the USA l l Appears to be in transition 4 percent of U. S. households – l Higher divorce rates among previous cohabiters – – Over half of U. S. couples who marry live together first May reflect people’s traits, rather than the experience of cohabitation itself Meaning of cohabitation is different for older couples © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 27

Benefits of Marriage Division of labor l Economic security l Commitment, friendship l Opportunity for emotional growth l New sources of identity and self-esteem l © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 28

Entering Matrimony l Historically mates chosen by matchmakers – l Only in modern times do people choose mates based on love Typical marrying age has increased in industrialized countries – – Men: 27 years Women: 25 years © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 29

Living Arrangements © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 30

Marital Satisfaction l l l Married people tend to be happier than unmarried people. Those in unhappy marriages are less happy than unmarried or divorced people. Factors affecting satisfaction: – Expectations – Economic resources Equal decision-making Non-traditional gender attitudes – – © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 31

Marriage: Four Theoretical Perspectives l l Companionate model Institutional model Equity model Gender model © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 32

Factors in Marital Success or Failure l l l l Partners’ happiness with the relationship Sensitivity to each other Validation of each other’s feelings Communication Conflict management skills Age at marriage College graduates © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 33

Having Children in Developing Countries l Overpopulation and hunger are problems. – l Division of labor has changed. – l Important to recognize need to limit family size More mothers now work for pay Age at first child varies by ethnicity and race. © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 34

Average Age of Mothers at First Birth © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 35

Men & Women: Involvement in Parenthood l Both have a mixture of feelings. – l Mothers are more involved than fathers in children’s lives. – l Excitement, anxiety, responsibility Married women complain of more housework and marital conflict Involved fathers tend to be more satisfied with their lives. © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 36

Marital Satisfaction & Parenthood l l l Marital satisfaction declines during childrearing years, especially infanthood Mothers who saw themselves as unable to cope with demands of motherhood were dissatisfied Fathers most involved with children were more satisfied with their lives © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 37

Benefits of Dual-Earner Families l l l Beneficial to mental and physical health Women have a greater share of economic power Reduces the economic pressure on men © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 38

Drawbacks of Dual-Earner Families Possible rivalry between spouses l Extra demands on time and energy l Anxiety and guilt about meeting children’s needs l © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 39

Domestic Work: Effects on Marriage l l l Dual-income families take diverse forms Wives’ earnings accounted for an average of 35% of family income Perception of inequality of roles contributes to marital instability © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 40

Divorce l l Average marriage that ends in divorce does so after 7 -8 years. 1 in 5 U. S. adults has been divorced. Rates twice as high as 1960 Peak in early 1980 s © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 41

Possible Reasons for Divorce l l l Incompatibility and lack of emotional support Younger women said, lack of career support Spousal abuse © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 42

Box 14. 1 Intimate Partner Violence l l Victims are predominantly young, poor, less educated, divorced or cohabiting Three types of violence – – – l Situational couple violence Emotional abuse Intimate terrorism Shelters and law enforcement support © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 43

Adjusting to Divorce l Divorce tends to reduce long-term well-being Men: Negative effects on health l l Disruption of parent-child relationships Loss of emotional support Discord with former spouse Economic hardship Women more likely to live in poverty post-divorce © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 44

Remarriage and Stepparenthood l l l One-third of U. S. marriages are remarriages for both bride and groom. One-fourth of stepfamilies are formed by cohabitation. Many families adjust and create a nurturing atmosphere. © 2009 by the Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc 45