This volume reaches beyond facile "Gen X" and "quarterlife crisis" constructs to reveal the many diverse voices of young adults - their attitudes toward life, work, relationships, peers, and identities - and incorporates the diverse perspectives of parents and employers. It is a must-have resource for developmental, school, and counseling psychologists and therapists as well as for researchers and graduate-level students.
From the reviews:
"Important to all invested in facilitating adolescent development and health, the book provides an overview of the demands adolescents will face as they become adults ... . A close reading of this book reveals much more than an overview of themes drawn from the literature and a set of narratives to authenticate them. ... Konstram's work brings the framework back as a potentially useful one for understanding emerging and young adult development, and a potential bridge between the old and the new." (Jennifer L. Tanner, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 37, 2008)
"Varda Konstam defines emerging adulthood as the period from 18 to 30, a much wider span than researchers of the past have considered. ... does a thoroughly admirable job of collecting research from a wide variety of sources across the social sciences, from scholarly and popular press books as well as traditional research journal articles and newspaper and magazine accounts. ... most students, scholars, and practitioners will find the multiplicity of perspectives and the careful capture of diverse voices engaging, thought-provoking, and useful." (Ellen L. Nuffer, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 53 (24), 2008)
"Important to all invested in facilitating adolescent development and health, the book provides an overview of the demands adolescents will face as they become adults ... . A close reading of this book reveals much more than an overview of themes drawn from the literature and a set of narratives to authenticate them. ... Konstram's work brings the framework back as a potentially useful one for understanding emerging and young adult development, and a potential bridge between the old and the new." (Jennifer L. Tanner, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 37, 2008)
"Varda Konstam defines emerging adulthood as the period from 18 to 30, a much wider span than researchers of the past have considered. ... does a thoroughly admirable job of collecting research from a wide variety of sources across the social sciences, from scholarly and popular press books as well as traditional research journal articles and newspaper and magazine accounts. ... most students, scholars, and practitioners will find the multiplicity of perspectives and the careful capture of diverse voices engaging, thought-provoking, and useful." (Ellen L. Nuffer, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 53 (24), 2008)
"A wonderful read that provides a detailed qualitative picture of the lives of a group of emerging adults in the U.S as well as an overview of the broader scientific literature. This volume highlights the heterogeneity in the lives of individuals in this age-group. This new edition includes timely additions of new chapters on technology and work careers."
Manfred H. M. van Dulmen, Ph.D.
Kent State University
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"From authors to scholars to the media, a lot of people have had much to say in recent years about emerging and young adults. Noticeably absent in nearly all of this work has been the voice of young people themselves. Much has been said (much of it negative) about young people putting off adulthood in favor of selfish pursuits. Again, however, very few opportunities have been given to young people to give "their side of the story." The genius of this book is that the complexity of entering, developing through, and leaving the third decade of life is captured via the actual lives of young people. Dr. Konstam not only presents the most important and best scholarship on emerging and young adults but brings it to life via excerpts from interviews with dozens of young people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The result is a brilliant empirical book that not only describes what scholars know about young people but does so while also allowing us to hear from young people."
Larry J. Nelson, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Family Life
2091 JFSB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
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"Dr. Konstam's book brings emerging adulthood to life through the voices of young people and those who interact with them. Through their stories we learn about the ways in which emerging adulthood plays out differently across cultural, gender, family, and socioeconomic contexts. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the emerging adult ageperiod."
Seth J. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Manfred H. M. van Dulmen, Ph.D.
Kent State University
---
"From authors to scholars to the media, a lot of people have had much to say in recent years about emerging and young adults. Noticeably absent in nearly all of this work has been the voice of young people themselves. Much has been said (much of it negative) about young people putting off adulthood in favor of selfish pursuits. Again, however, very few opportunities have been given to young people to give "their side of the story." The genius of this book is that the complexity of entering, developing through, and leaving the third decade of life is captured via the actual lives of young people. Dr. Konstam not only presents the most important and best scholarship on emerging and young adults but brings it to life via excerpts from interviews with dozens of young people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The result is a brilliant empirical book that not only describes what scholars know about young people but does so while also allowing us to hear from young people."
Larry J. Nelson, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Family Life
2091 JFSB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
---
"Dr. Konstam's book brings emerging adulthood to life through the voices of young people and those who interact with them. Through their stories we learn about the ways in which emerging adulthood plays out differently across cultural, gender, family, and socioeconomic contexts. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the emerging adult ageperiod."
Seth J. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami