R.Purushothaman Master of social work Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College Trichy 6200005 TamilNadu, India.

1. R.Purushothaman
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
TOPIC: Early Adulthood

3. EARLY ADULTHOOD
• Early Adulthood extends from age 18 to approximately
age 40.
• When the physical and psychological changes, which
accompany the beginning of the loss of reproductive
capacity appear.
• When adolescents become more
independent and explore different
life possibilities.

4. Early adulthood
• In early adulthood, an individual is concerned with
developing the ability to share intimacy, seeking to
form relationship and find intimate love.
Long term relationships are formed, and
often marriage and children result.
• The young adult is also faced with
career decisions.

5. Characteristics of early adulthood
Settling
down Age.
Problem
Age.
Emotional
Age.
social Isolation.
Reproductive
age
Time of
commitment.

6. Settling down age
• This is the period when young men and
women are trying out different life patterns in
terms of jobs and different individuals to share
the life.
• Once individuals decide upon the pattern of
life the believe will meet the needs, they
develop pattern of behavior, attitudes and
values.

7. Problem Age
• Young adults need to cope up with all
adjustment within their work
• and with partner and larger circle of friends
and relatives.
• Exceptions are too high
and to meet demand
make it even more difficult.
• They are called problem age.

8. Emotional tension
• Young adults worry about which leads to
emotional tension will depend upon their work
load at their work place,
at home and in the social circle.
• And also how much success
or failure they are experiencing
in meeting these problems.
• They are called Emotional age.

9. Social Isolation
• Early adulthood is a period of “social isolation”
-with the end of formal education
• And the entrance into adult life pattern of
work and marriage, the association with peer
groups is slowly weaned.
• This is when they experience social isolation

10. Reproductive Age
• Early adulthood
is the ‘ Reproductive Age ’-
parenthood is one of the most important
roles in the lives of most young adults.

11. Time of commitment
• As young adults change their role from
students and dependent to that of
independent adults, they establish new
pattern of living new responsibilities and
take up new commitments for themselves
and their partners.

12. Development Task of early
Adulthood (18-40)
• Psychological separation from parents.
• Accepting responsible for one’s own body.
• Choosing a career.
• Using money to further development.
• Assuming a social role.

13. • Establishing adult relationships with parents.
• Acquiring marketable skills.
• Having and relating to children.
• Adapting ethical and spiritual values.
• Developing a capacity
• for intimacy with a partner.

14. Physical development
• Typical, physical development/ maturation
Already complete
* small % still gain height in early 20’s.
* Brain continues to grow in height and weight
reaching its maximum during early adulthood
then contracting in size.
• During early adulthood
* Muscle strength greater
* Hand-eye coordination sharp.

15. Emotional development
• Young adults are subjected
to many emotional
Stresses related to career,
marriage, family etc.

16. Social development
• Social development- moving away from peer
group, and adults tend to associate with
others.
• Most find a mate and begin a family.

17. Cognitive development
• Thinking in early adulthood becomes more
realistic and pragmatic.
• Post-formal thought-
thought that is reflective,
realistic and provisional, open
to emotions and subjective.