In medicine and the social sciences, a young adult is usually a person who is no longer a teenager but has not yet reached full adulthood. Different people and groups may define this stage differently, but the idea of young adulthood has been greatly influenced by the work of psychologist Erik Erikson. Generally, the term refers to people aged about 18 to 45 years.
Erikson described this stage as a time when people focus on forming close relationships and understanding their personal identity. Legal systems also consider the development of young adults, as some courts take into account how people under 21 are still growing and changing when making decisions about punishments. Some researchers call this stage "emerging adulthood," a time between adolescence and full adulthood when the brain continues to develop until the early 20s. This period can bring challenges for physical health, mental well-being, and personal growth.
It was once believed that the brain stops developing around age 25, but newer research shows this process may continue into the early 30s. Studies in neuroscience show that the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain involved in making decisions and controlling behavior, keeps growing through the teenage years and into early adulthood.
The United States Census Bureau defines young adults as people aged 18 to 34. This group includes more than 65 million Americans born between 1991 and 2008. The young adult stage comes before middle adulthood, which is often a time of career and relationship stability.
Young adults are less likely to vote than people in middle or older age groups. This pattern has been observed in many countries and is connected to differences in how involved people are in politics and their life situations.
The term "young adult" is also used in the publishing industry to describe books written for teenagers, typically those aged 13 or 14. However, some people disagree with using the term "young adult" for minors, as they are not legally or culturally considered adults, except in certain religious traditions like the Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Judaism. The idea that adulthood begins at puberty is no longer widely accepted.
Time co-ordinates
Timelines for young adulthood are not clearly defined because they depend on many factors, such as legal rules, personal growth, jobs, relationships, and emotions. Different ways of looking at development—like focusing on personal growth or how society influences people—can lead to different results. Sub-stages in the timeline of social and emotional growth are not fixed. Social changes, differences between individuals, and cultural or regional differences must be considered. In the 21st century, age norms for major life events have become more flexible because people are living longer and reaching puberty earlier. Changes across generations have made it harder to predict how young adults will take on adult responsibilities. As college costs, living situations, and work and education opportunities change, young adults now experience many life transitions during adulthood rather than just one stage.
Some experts suggest that after early childhood, which lasts about 20 years, the next stage, called Early Adulthood, begins around age 16 or 17 and lasts until about 45. This period is described as a time of high energy and opportunity but also of challenges and stress. Within this time, the Early Adult Transition (ages 17–22) is seen as a step between childhood and early adulthood. This transition is not a clear starting point for adulthood. Another idea is that people between 18 and 30 may be in a stage called Provisional Adulthood, which leads to becoming fully adult. Some organizations, like MIT, often define "young adulthood" as ages 18 to 22 or 18 to 25, which usually matches the age range of college students.
Although these definitions vary, most agree that the 20s and 30s are the core of Early Adulthood. This stage is important for forming a vision of life goals, as described by psychologist Daniel Levinson, which helps guide a person’s future.
Developmental context
Studies in psychology and brain science show that young adulthood includes ongoing growth after adolescence. This period is called "emerging adulthood," which happens between adolescence and full adulthood. Research also explains that a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex keeps developing into early adulthood, which helps with making decisions. This stage is linked to greater independence and moving into areas like school, jobs, and relationships.
Health
Young adulthood is often the healthiest time in life, as young adults are usually in good health and not affected by diseases or aging-related problems. Physical strength and performance are strongest between the ages of 18 and 46. However, flexibility may decrease as people get older.
As teenagers become young adults, they may engage in risky behaviors, such as unsafe sex, drinking too much alcohol, driving carelessly, or making poor food choices. These actions can lead to injuries, violence, or mental health challenges. Brain development during this time can influence how young adults make decisions and manage their mental health. Three out of every four deaths among young adults are linked to risky behaviors or mental health issues, such as suicide. In developed countries, the number of deaths among people aged 18 to 45 is usually very low. More men than women die in this age group, especially between 18 and 25, due to car accidents and suicide. By the late 20s and 30s, death rates for men and women become more similar, partly because people tend to take fewer risks and stay healthier.
Mental illness has become more common among young adults worldwide. This increase is connected to factors like poor diet and lack of physical activity. People with mental health issues may choose unhealthy foods high in sugar, salt, and fats. Mental illness and risky behaviors often appear during the transition from teenage years to adulthood.
Cancer is rare in young adults compared to older adults. However, testicular cancer, cervical cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma are exceptions.
In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS has greatly affected young adults. A United Nations report shows that AIDS has increased deaths among men aged 20 to 55 and women aged 20 to 45. This has reduced life expectancy in South Africa by 18 years and in Botswana by 34 years.
Theory
According to Erik Erikson, after focusing on finding their identity during adolescence, young adults are ready to connect with others. They become willing to share their identity with others and form close relationships. This includes the ability to commit to real relationships and partnerships. To do this, they must face fears of losing their sense of self in situations that require giving up parts of themselves, such as in close friendships, romantic relationships, or difficult experiences. Avoiding these situations because of fear can lead to feeling lonely and focused only on themselves.
When young adults avoid loneliness, they may find that satisfying relationships can help reduce conflicts between differences, such as between men and women or between love and hate. These relationships may also help them learn to share love, care, and understanding with others.
In modern societies, young adults in their late teens and early 20s face many challenges as they finish school, start full-time jobs, and take on adult responsibilities. They are often focused on growing as individuals within society and their relationships with others. A risk during this time is making important decisions about marriage, family, work, and lifestyle before having enough experience or maturity to make wise choices.
While young adulthood involves seeking close relationships and major life goals, it also includes developing a set of moral values. Erikson believed that during this time, the "ideological mind" of adolescence gives way to a stronger sense of right and wrong, which is a key part of becoming an adult.
Becoming an adult in modern society is not always a simple or clear process. As each generation changes, new signs of adulthood are created, which set different expectations for what it means to be an adult.
Daniel Levinson believed that life stages continue to change as people grow into adulthood. His theory is based on Erik Erikson’s idea of life stages. This theory includes patterns and relationships in a person’s life that help define them. The study of life stages covers all parts of life, including relationships, feelings, physical changes, and both good and difficult times. Life is divided into four stages: Preadulthood, Early Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, and Late Adulthood.
Preadulthood begins at birth and ends around age 22. During this time, a person moves from being very dependent to becoming more independent and responsible. This stage includes the most growth in physical, mental, and social areas. The Early Adulthood Transition is part of this stage and also overlaps with the next stage, which begins at age 16-17 and ends at age 22. During this time, the person starts to move away from childhood and into early adulthood. They begin adjusting their relationships to fit better into the adult world they are building.
Early Adulthood starts at age 16-17 and lasts until age 45. This is a time of great energy, challenges, and stress. It is usually when people work toward their goals, find their place in society, form families, and strengthen relationships. By the end of this stage, they should have a strong position in the adult world.
Middle Adulthood begins at age 45 and ends at age 65. During this time, physical and mental abilities start to decline, but they are not so weak that people cannot still contribute meaningfully to society.
Late Adulthood begins at age 65 and continues until death. During this stage, people must find a balance between staying involved with society and focusing on themselves. Health begins to decline more quickly, so people should have the freedom to choose how they live their lives.
Settling down
During the middle to late 30s, people often begin to settle into more stable routines, a time sometimes called "the establishment phase." This period involves making important life choices, such as choosing a career, building a family, forming friendships, participating in community activities, and developing personal values. Once individuals commit to these areas, they tend to work harder to achieve their goals. A key stage in early adulthood (ages 33–40) helps people complete this phase and achieve their younger dreams. In their 30s, people may spend more money and emotional energy on their lives. Many have been working long enough to earn promotions or higher pay. They often focus on career growth and creating a stable personal life, such as getting married or starting a family, though not everyone follows this path.
Gail Sheehy, however, describes the transition from the 20s to 30s differently. She suggests that the 20s have become a longer period of uncertain adulthood, and that the 30s mark the beginning of a more challenging stage called "First Adulthood."
Midlife transition
The Midlife Transition, which happens around ages 46 to 50, marks the end of early adulthood and the start of Second Adulthood. During this time, people often make changes in their lives, such as in their careers. The end of early adulthood can be described as when a person no longer feels the need to prove they are an adult. In the Midlife Transition, people often shift from focusing on their age to emphasize how young they feel. They tend to pay more attention to the present moment rather than the past or future. During this time, individuals often focus more on their relationships than on themselves. They may also experience physical changes that affect how they see their bodies.
Levinson believed midlife was a time of crisis. However, recent studies show that not everyone experiences a midlife crisis. Instead, many people describe midlife as a time of freedom and opportunity. During the Midlife Transition, the main issue is not whether a person achieved their goals from earlier in life. Instead, it is about how they should use the experience of the difference between their goals and what actually happened.