Penn State's 18th Annual Symposium on Family Issues
Early Adulthood in a Family Context
Where and When
October 12-13, 2010
Nittany
Lion Inn, Penn State
Program
Please check back over the next few months as names of speakers and discussants are added.
Early adulthood (ages 18-24) is a period characterized by social-emotional, cognitive and physical development, evidenced in increasing autonomy from parents, financial independence, romantic relationship involvement, and transitions into parenthood. It is a critical life period because the timing and sequencing of these developments set the stage for later health and well-being as well as for future psychological development, achievement, and family and intimate relationship experiences. Young adults do not navigate emerging adulthood alone, and often require substantial support from their families of origin to successfully accomplish the many developmental tasks of this period. In addition, although family formation is increasingly delayed, some men and women marry or become parents early, and others form romantic relationships. The 2010 symposium will focus on the family contexts of early adulthood, emphasizing the importance of both the family of origin and new and highly variable types of family formation experiences that occur in early adulthood.
Not all young adults share the same pathways through young adulthood. There is diversity in the trajectories of young adults, reflecting not only variation due to structural factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, and race/ethnicity, but also individual differences in social, cognitive and emotional development and adjustment which are shaped in part by early and ongoing family dynamics. Families of origin are increasingly complex due to non-marital childbearing, divorce, cohabitation and remarriage as well as the health and well-being of their members. Young adults' ability to draw on family resources varies according to the characteristics of their family of origin. Individual and group differences in the family supports available to young adults may be especially pronounced in the current time period, given the growth of income inequality over the last several decades and the severity of the current recession.
The symposium has two core goals that will showcase new theoretical, methodological, and measurement insights. The first goal is to advance understanding of the influence of the family of origin on young adults' lives--recognizing the increasing diversity and complexity of the family. Both family resources and constraints with respect to economic, social, and human capital will be considered, as will the nature and extent of young adults' responsibilities to their families of origin. The second goal is to build our knowledge about family formation and stability in early adulthood. Given delays in the timing of marriage for most young adults, the early adult years provide opportunities for a wide range of relationships. Empirical studies and theoretical developments, however, have not kept pace with the relationship and family experiences of young adults. Along with its emphasis on the family contexts of early adulthood, the symposium will highlight two additional important themes: diversity in young adult development and the role of the broader economic climate. Research will draw on comparisons within young adulthood as well as contrasting young adults to teens and older adults.
Session I: What is the contemporary context of young adulthood?
This session will focus on the key developmental tasks of young adulthood and the role of the larger social and economic environment in young adults' trajectories. Speakers will address changes in the context of early adulthood over the last several decades, including very recent changes due to the economic downturn. Diversity by SES, race/ethnicity, and gender in the resources and opportunities available to young adults to address developmental tasks in the domains of education, employment, and family will be emphasized. How do differences in resources and opportunities result in a diversity of pathways to adulthood and what roles do social institutions (e.g., educational, military, penal) play in the nature and course of early adulthood for diverse youth?
Session II: What are the key elements of parent-child relationships that facilitate successful transitions during young adulthood?
The second session will focus on the diversity and multi-faceted nature of young adults' relationships with their parents, including the developmental history of those relationships. Speakers will discuss ways in which children's early socio-emotional development and parent-child relationship quality are linked to young adult health, adjustment, achievement, and the parent-young adult relationship. Also of importance is how dimensions of parent-child relationships in young adulthood, ranging from emotional connectedness and contact to provision of material support, are linked to young adults' well-being. Of special interest is whether family support and family relationships vary across groups defined by social class, race/ethnicity, family members' values, cultural practices, and health and adjustment.
Session III: What are the types and trajectories of romantic and sexual relationships in young adulthood?
In this session, presenters will consider the type and timing, as well as the nature (quality and stability), of young adults' romantic and sexual relationships. Variation according to social structural factors will be examined, including social class, gender, and race/ethnicity. Speakers will address how families of origin support and influence young adult dating, cohabiting, and marital unions. In addition, the role of peers' and partners' characteristics, including economic (education and work) achievements, health and adjustment, and attitudes and values will be investigated. Of particular interest is how the current economic climate is linked to union formation and stability as well as union formation expectations. An overarching theme will be how the diversity of relationships in early adulthood challenges our theoretical and empirical understanding of marriage.
Session IV: What are the timing and family context of fertility in young adulthood?
Young adults' parenting related decisions and behaviors will be the focus of the third session. One goal is to examine the characteristics of young adults who have children and how these characteristics may be related to fertility timing. Family context, including fertility and parenting outside of unions, in cohabiting unions, or with multiple partners, will be considered. The quality of young adult's relationship with their offspring and their partner, as well as the role of the family of origin in adjustment to parental roles, is of interest. The session will include attention to the consequences of parenthood for young adults' adjustment and development, such as their work and education trajectories.
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