references to video blog post By Lisa Cropp

Here is my reference to my video blog:  Pickhardt, C PhD.  Boomerang Kids.  Sourcebooks:  Illinois, USA. c2011. 

Video Post by Lisa Cropp

It is challenging living with a roommate.  The following video explains some obstacles roommates face and solutions on how to deal with conflicts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Gw1O2Moik

A Lesson Learned

Hey guys here's a quick video I posted explaining a lesson I learned in my transition to adulthood...enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuNmVAbDSNc&feature=youtu.be

Chase

Transitioning to Adulthood: How to Make it Positive!

Video: Transitioning to Adulthood: How to Make it Positive!

By Shirley Whitesel

I feel that through the effort of both parents and young adults this difficult period in the family lifecycle can go a lot smoother.  I offer some suggestions for families to try during this time.

I hope that you find this information helpful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4uO5ffWbDY

My References:

—Burt, K. B., & Paysnick, A. A. (2012). Resilience in the transition to adulthood. Development and Psychopathology, 24(02), 493-505.

—Kerig, P., Schulz, M., & Hauser, S., Adolescence and Beyond: Family Processes and Development c2012 New York: Oxford University Press, USA

—Scabini, E., Marta, E., Lanz. M., (2006) : The Transition to Adulthood and Family Relations : An Intergenerational Perspective.  Psychology Press, New York, NY

Book Review: Rights of Passage by Rebecca (blog post #4)

Rights of Passage: Social change and the Transition from Youth to Adulthood

by: Sarah Irwin

For a social research book, I thought Irwin (1995) did a great job of gathering the research and disseminating the information that she had to work with. 

The book's primary purpose was "to break with the boundaries that conventionally delimit discussion of this life course period, and offers an analysis that treats it as an integral aspect of more general social arrangements" (p. 1). In other words, Irwin (1995) wanted to create a new way to think and talk about the transition from youth to adulthood in a different way than it has been approached before. Especially because of the changes in young adults' experience in employment, marriage, independence, etc. are different compared to about 20 years ago (p. 4), many issues come in the ability of younger Americans to become independent. 

Irwin (1995) addresses all of these issues in her book. Those "issues" discussed include 

• economic changes that effect employment among young adults, which, in turn, effects independence (Irwin, 1995, p. 12)
• observations and changes in milestones of young adults (i.e. when marriage occurs and having a first child). (Irwin, 1995, p. 13).
• gender relation differences in the current century. (i.e. women are working more/ratios are balancing out; earning power is almost equal, and also responsibility balance) (Irwin, 1995, p. 14)
• class differences in family creation, and what age is "ideal" for young adults—Irwin (1995) considers consuming power of different classes that also shapes when young adults marry and have children. (p. 15)
• differences in when an individual becomes independent compared to past generations. Which is then linked to structural issues in the larger scale of things in America—because there are more dependents, that means that there are less earners that are paying into social security regularly. (Irwin, 1995, p. 15-16)

Each issue is a chapter in Irwin’s (1995) book, of which each is an important issue, because she poignantly addresses the issues in the structure of America since the recession and differences between generations that aids in understanding the “us” and “them” mentality when you are thinking about parents, counselors and student. Irwin (1995) also frames reasonable expectations for all to understand that its not your 20 year-old’s fault that he or she is not out of the house yet, but probably means that things are going to take a little bit longer for him or her to get established.

The researches that Irwin (1995) reviews are pertinent to the times now: Although the research she pulls from are from the 1970’s to 1990’s, she conducting a cross sectional study (cross-sectional research is a research method that means you are researching multiple age groups or generations at once), so Irwin (1995) is using relevant research to her goal in crossing generational boundaries to explore differences in the transition to adulthood.

Although Irwin’s (1995) writing is a little more technical, I think that, with some processing, and rereading, her books would be a good read for parents and counselors to consider. Especially to read more directly from research about the generational differences instead of what culture has deemed as fact.

Irwin, S. (1995). Rights Of Passage: social change and the transition from youth to adulthood. Bristol, Pa: : UCL Press.

To answer Cheryl's question... By Rebecca Jenn

Q: Do you think it is more difficult to transition to adulthood now than in the past? Why or why not? ~Cheryl

A: Thank you for this question Cheryl! It was very exciting for me to see it, not only as a transitioning adult, but also in consideration of everything that we have been writing about, this brings up an interesting issue! 

From my book review on Irwin's (2005) book, Rights of Passage, one of the hardest areas that transitioning adults have been hit with is the economy. Because of the economic downturns in America, many children are staying at home longer because they cannot find a career, well-paying job in order to have full independence. The National Center for Education Statistics (2011) also agrees with Irwin, that American young adults, ages 25-29 had an 11% unemployment rate; which is slightly better than the 19% that 16-24 year olds were suffering in 2010 (p. vii). However, with a college education, one was more likely to have a median income of $33,000 compared to $18,000 for those who did not complete high school. 

With this statistic, the issue of higher education also comes up. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of "some college" attending individuals was 36% in 2010 (2011). the question is, then, does college delay the transition into adulthood? As mentioned above, many more students that have a college degree are more likely to be involved than those that do not have a high school diploma. 89% could be delayed because of unemployment.  

All this to say, the transition to adulthood is becoming more difficult and more arduous but not impossible. College seems to slow things down a bit more, and the economic down turn has either meant that young adults are becoming independent more quickly or they are taking their time to graduate. With my experience, my parents have allowed me to be dependent on them for my entire college career: I didn't have to pay a phone bill, car insurance, or room and board. However, when I graduate from college all of that is going to change. On the other hand, one of my roommates has had to pay much of her way through college, pay her own bills for her car, phone, room and board. Her family situation resulted in her almost immediate independence once she moved to college. 

So I think it just depends on the way parents are available--emotionally, and financially. I would say that the transition to adulthood has been easy for me, but for my roommate, a little more challenging. So, on a case by case basis, the transition into adulthood could either be challenging or not. 

Resources:

Aud, S.,. KewalRamani, A., and rohlich, L. (2011). America’s Youth: Transitions to Adulthood . Washington, D:C: U.S. Government Printing Office. 

Irwin, S. (1995). Rights Of Passage: social change and the transition from youth to adulthood. Bristol, Pa: : UCL Press.