New Social Roles for Adolescents: Challenges and Opportunities

Session Type: Invited Session

Abstract

This session will explore how adolescents globally are adopting to new social roles. Four papers will present empirical evidence on changing demands on young people making the transition to independent adulthood in different countries. The transition to independent adulthood is a major developmental task for young people who have to negotiate multiple role transitions, including the completion of full-time education, entry into paid employment, establishing a committed relationship, independent living and becoming a parent. How best to prepare young people for these challenges? What are the changes in demands and appropriate responses among young people? Moving beyond the assumption of homogeneous transition experiences (or a universal life stage of emerging adulthood) we explore diversity in transition experiences and different strategies in negotiating a successful transition to independent adulthood.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Josipa Roksa, University of Virginia

Papers

• Pathways to Adulthood in Context - Ingrid Schoon, Institute of Education - University of London

• Engagement and Burnout During Transition to Adulthood in Finland - Katariina Salmela-Aro, Cicero Learning, University of Helsinki

• Learning Environments and Personality Development - Ulrich Trautwein, University of Tubingen

• Redesigning Adulthood: What’s Education Got to Do With It? - Richard A Settersten, Oregon State University

Discussant

• Josipa Roksa, University of Virginia