Blog 3

I really enjoyed reading Arnett's article about emerging adulthood. As I shared in my blog last week, even though I'm well past the age of being classified as an "adult," I still feel as if I'm still in the transitional period in a lot of ways. Kristen's quote at the very beginning of the article really struck me: "Under duress, I will admit that this is a pretty exciting time. Sometimes, when I look out across the wide expanse that is my future, I can see beyond the void. I realize that having nothing ahead to count on means I now have to count on myself; that having no direction means forging one of my own" (Arnett, 2000, p. 469). It think this quote really encapsulates the uncertainty and excitement of the mid and late twenties for a lot of people. If we grew up 50 years ago, my friends would have all likely been married and had children at this point in our lives, but many of us are in a variety of positions and life stages. Does this make our lives any harder or easier than the lives of women who've traveled before us? I'm not sure, but it certainly makes our lives very different. Cliche perhaps, but two of my favorite books are "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert, and the sequel, "Committed," by the same author. Interestingly, she ruminates often about the decisions women make about their personal and professional lives (and how these decisions are often intertwined). Unfortunately (or very fortunately??), women in today's society now have an abundance of choices and "the problem, simply put, is that we cannot choose everything simultaneously. So we live in danger of become paralyzed by indecision, terrified that every choice might be the wrong choice" (Gilbert, 2010). Perhaps because their early twenties presents many choices for many individuals, many people choose to delay "real adulthood" as long as possible. Of course, I think there's also a solidity and familiarity in choosing a spouse, making a long-term commitment like marriage, and starting a family together. But the question then is when (and how) this has to happen, which involves making a very important (and life-altering/final choice!) Arnett, J. "Emerging Adulthood: A Theory of Development from the Late Teens Through the Twenties." (May 2000). American Psychologist Association, 469-479. Gilbert, E. "Committed." (2010). Penguin Group: London.