Characteristics of Emerging Adults

Identity Explorations: Trying out various possibilities, especially in love and work.
Instability: Moving frequently, starting and stopping school and jobs. All of this contributes to a lack of stability—a period of "revision" of one's "life plan".
Self-focused: Attention is given to personal needs and aspirations more than any other time in one's life.
Feeling "in-between:" As neither an adolescent nor an adult, this is a transition time.
An Age of Possibilities: This is an age or time period where anything seems possible, hope flourishes, and people have an unparalleled opportunity to transform their lives.

Characteristics of Adulthood:

Accept responsibility for yourself
Make independent choices
Financial independence —Jeffrey Jensen Arnett in Emerging Adulthood (cited below)

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