Emerging Adulthood Explained: What Every Parent of a 20-Something Needs to Know | Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett
About this episode
Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett discusses the distinct life stage of emerging adulthood and how parents can better support their 20-something children.
What does it really mean when your adult child isn't "launching" on your timeline? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett — developmental psychologist, Clark University senior research scholar, and the man who coined the term "emerging adulthood" — to unpack one of the most misunderstood life stages of our time. Dr. Arnett explains why the years from 18 to 29 are a distinct developmental stage, not extended adolescence or young adulthood, and why parents who understand this are better equipped to support their children without pushing them away. He covers why kids are moving back home, launching later, and taking longer to commit to careers, relationships, and adult milestones — and why that's not necessarily a failure. Topics include: how the knowledge economy, the women's movement, and the sexual revolution reshaped the path to adulthood; how to tell the difference between healthy self-exploration and being truly stuck; how to keep communication open without overstepping; and what emerging adults wish their parents understood but rarely say out loud. Whether your child is 18 or 28, this conversation will…
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