Constructing the Future in the Liminal Spaces Between Adolescence and Adulthood: Responsibilities, Careers, and Social Contexts

• In Event: Roundtable Session 67
  In Roundtable Session: Assisting Adolescents as They Journey Toward Adulthood

Abstract

Recent media reports lament the way young people are delaying the movement into adulthood (Aronson, 2008). The assumption is that young people are avoiding making these transitions due to a lack of desire, focus and sense of responsibility. With the potential for these media representations to influence policy makers and educators, there exists a need to examine how young people themselves perceive the transition into adulthood and whether it is something to be delayed and avoided. The purpose of this research is to explore the conceptualizations and concerns about adulthood that are constructed by graduating high school students, in relation to their career aspirations and socio-economic context. The concept of liminal adulthood was used to frame the analysis.

Authors

• Amanda Benjamin, University of New Brunswick

• Jose F. Domene, University of New Brunswick

• Kim Landine, University of New Brunswick