Abstract:

Emerging adulthood is a relatively new concept and a response to the current phenomenon of widening of the gap between adolescence and adulthood (subjectively and objectively perceived). The stage of emerging adulthood, set within the third decade of life, is characterized by specific features such as variability, instability and uncertainty. It is a period of changes and seeking for autonomy and identity. Previously, adulthood was delimited by marriage and the establishment of a family. However, changes in society have transformed the perception of adulthood and new trends have emerged.

The aim of the research was to analyse the life experience of individuals in the period of emerging adulthood. Using a qualitative approach, the study analysed the experience of five participants – two men and three women from the Czech Republic aged 24–29 years. The data were collected by semi-structured interviews and analysed by an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The main research question was as follows: “What is the experience of young people in the period of emerging adulthood?”

The results of the research show that the aspects important for the third decade of life are relationships, study, career and finance, reflecting the development of autonomy and identity significant for reaching adulthood. Emerging adulthood is associated with experimentation in the area of study, employment and relationships as well as searching for identity. The key category is the “perception of adulthood”. Adulthood is the result of a long-term individual process, conditioned by internal and external circumstances. In addition to the key category, other important aspects include study, career, relationships, expectations, peer issues or ambivalence of feelings. The signs of emerging adulthood were observed in all of the participants.

The attitudes of the participants to the definition of adulthood are similar; they also face similar problems such as finance, career, relationships and the need to find themselves and their place in the world. The categories affect each other. Significant criteria in adulthood include financial independence, independent decision-making and acceptance of responsibility. The results of the study also suggest that aspects such as stable employment and the establishment of a family and own household are not the most important. More important are those characteristics that lead to the achievement of these goals.

Keywords:

Emerging adulthood, adolescence, qualitative research, interpretative phenomenological analysis.