The influence of culture in emerging adulthood: Perspectives of Chinese college students

Abstract

Emerging adulthood refers to a time period (18–25 years of age) between adolescence and adulthood. Recent research suggests that it may be a cultural construction. More traditional, non-Western cultures may have a shortened period of emerging adulthood, or no emerging adulthood at all, because these cultures tend to place greater emphasis on practices that lead to an earlier transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine emerging adulthood in the Chinese culture, including (1) the types of criteria Chinese young people deem necessary for becoming an adult, (2) the types of behaviours Chinese emerging adults are engaging in, (3) identity-related issues, and (4) other aspects of Chinese culture that might suggest that emerging adulthood in China may be different than in the United States. Participants in this study were 207 students at Beijing Normal University located in Beijing, China. Results provided evidence to support the notion that emerging adulthood is affected by culture. Findings revealed that the majority of Chinese college students (1) feel they have reached adult status in their early twenties, (2) have culturally specific criteria for adult status, and (3) tend to engage in behaviours and have beliefs and values that appear to differ from emerging adults in Western cultures.

New Horizons in Research on Emerging and Young Adulthood

“…The top criteria for adulthood also differed from other studies. Accept responsibility for your actions ranked high, as in other studies, and Learn always to have good control of your emotions, as in studies of Chinese college students (Nelson et al, 2004 ) , but also near the top were Become capable of keeping a family physically safe (for both men and women) and Drive an automobile safely and close to the speed limit . Furthermore, the young Indians were optimistic, with 80% of students and 53% of nonstudents believing their quality of life would be higher than their parents' quality of life.…”

“…Little is known thus far about emerging adulthood in the Chinese urban middle class, but there are some intriguing clues. In two studies of Chinese college students, Nelson and colleagues examined their views of adulthood (Badger, Nelson, & Barry, 2006 ;Nelson, Badger, & Wu, 2004 ) . In some of their top criteria they were similar to American and European emerging adults, specifi cally accept responsibility for the consequences of your actions, make independent decisions, and become fi nancially independent .…”

Academic Versus Non-academic Emerging Adult College Student Technology Use

“…Emerging adult developmental transitions are often influenced by cultural and social elements. An example of this can be seen as industrialized western nations have experienced cultural shifts due to twentieth century technological changes (Arnett 2011;Nelson et al 2004). Since emerging adults are commonly engaged in higher education environments, Flowers (2014) explains experiences are needed that reach these individuals where they are, yet stretch them personally and academically, making them take responsibility for their futures.…”

Dating and Sex Among Emerging Adults in Nepal

“…We present our findings in the light of the developmental framework of "emerging adulthood" (Arnett 2002;2010;Nelson, Badger, & Wu, 2004). This theoretical approach argues that in a globalised world transitions to fully fledged adulthood are occurring at a later age then in the past (Arnett 2002).…”