Why is early adulthood often considered “the prime of life”?

Early adulthood is the developmental stage from about age 20 to age 35. It is generally considered the ‘prime of life’ as the young individual is emerging from adolescence with a well-established sense of Identity and can approach life with determination and self-esteem. Also, during this period, young adults are physically stronger and healthier that any of the other stages to follow. It is the time of pursuing one’s dreams and enjoying the comfort of cozy, meaningful and loving relationships.

When are the norms and peaks for height and weight for both men and women reached?

For females, maximum height is reached at about age 16, while males still undergo the process up until age 18. However, in some cases, skeletal growth may continue in people’s early 20s. Fat accumulation and muscle growth continue into the early 20s as well. It is then that males reach full upper-arm and shoulder size, while females reach their full hip and breast size. This developmental stage can be identified with one’s growing physical strength that reaches its peak around the age of 30. Physical endurance, strength and stamina are the norm in this stage. In addition, all of the body systems (digestive, respiratory, sexual-reproductive, circulatory) function at their optimal levels.

What are senescence and organ reserves?

Generally speaking, senescence is a hallmark through adulthood. It is a state of physical decline (that usually starts around the 30s) where the body gradually loses its strength and efficiency with age. Senescence goes hand in hand and can be partly explained with the decline of organ reserve with age. Organ reserve stands for the extra capacity each organ has to withstand the critical moments of prolonged, or extreme stress. With advancing age, organ reserve gradually declines.

What is infertility and what are some of the new technologies for dealing with it?

Infertility explains the lack of successful pregnancy after at least one year of regular intercourse without any contraception. There are many personal, social and also environmental factors that may stand behind it. Fortunately, Assistive Reproductive Technology is widely used nowadays, using numerous artificial methods to achieve or facilitate pregnancy. Some of these methods are:

In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) – a medically developed technique in which the egg cell is being fertilized outside of the woman’s body. This method has proven to be very efficient for couples suffering infertility when other attempts  of achieving conception have tailed. The in-vitro fertilization requires removing the ova from the woman’s ovaries. Then, when put in a fluid, the egg is being fertilized by the sperm. Finally, the zygote is put back in the woman’s uterus so that pregnancy is established. Still being an expensive procedure, in-vitro fertilization is usually performed after other attempts to get pregnant have failed.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – a procedure that is very effective in cases when male infertility implies low or very low sperm count. In this method a single sperm is taken and injected directly in the middle of the egg cell with the help of a micro needle.

What is body mass index (BMI)?

Body mass index is the ratio between one’s weight and height (using the Metric measures). It is supposed to be very accurate for both men and women and is claimed to be a reliable indicator for one’s general condition and fitness.

Personally I think that as accurate as it may be for the general population MBI calculation is not always reliable criterion. For example, it does not consider variables such as body and bone structure, levels of physical activity, etc.

What are some major health problems in young adulthood?

Encountering the numerous social pressures of adult life and trying to deal with emotional problems, young adults often suffer clinical depression, drug and alcohol abuse. Eating disorders are particularly common among females. Also, young adulthood is, typically, the onset stage for many psychological disorders (some of them being very severe, like Schizophrenia). Many of the Personality disorders become clearly expressed in early adulthood as well. Still, health problems are not really common among young adults. However, violence (especially among males) is a major cause for injuries and even death.

What are the most common types of eating disorders?

Anorexia Nervosa is generally described as ‘self-starvation’. Usually, the person who is suffering Anorexia is voluntarily eating too little and/or exercising too much. The victims hold a distorted image of themselves, always seeing their bodies as ‘unattractive’ and ‘fat’ and deny the problems of not eating. Most often, victims refuse to maintain body weight of at least 85% of what is considered to be normal for their age. Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious condition and between 5% and 20% of its victims die because of it. The severity of the disease caused it to be characterized in the DMS-IV as one of the eating disorders.

Bulimia Nervosa is yet another eating disorder described in the DSM-IV. Once again, victims have a distorted self-image and are overly preoccupied with the way their body looks. The disorder is characterized by episodes of bingeing and then purging (induced vomiting or use of laxatives). In order to meet the criteria for the disorder, these episodes should occur at least once a week for three months.

Both Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa are seen more often among females, although there have been a slight percent of male victims.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is more common among males. It is characterized by the preoccupation with working out, gaining muscle mass and reducing body fat. Once again, victims have an unrealistic body image and tend to abuse steroids.

Why is male violence during young adulthood such a problem?

Unfortunately, male violence appears to be very common in Early Adulthood, taking a lot of victims. It is a serious problem, because it is among the major causes of death and serious injuries that does not allow young adults to enjoy the healthy life of this developmental stage. The statistics showing that almost 1% of young adults in the United States (between ages 15 and 25) die violently is very disturbing. It is incredibly sad that the world loses people in the prime of their life to homicide, suicide or motorcycle accidents.

What is cognitive flexibility?

Cognitive flexibility is probably the main characteristic in young adults’ cognition. It explains their awareness of the fact that each and every problem has a number of possible solutions and that every individual has a personal opinion that may reflect only one side of an issue. This cognitive flexibility also stands for the better coping skills of young adults and their ability to contemplate different perspectives, opinions and analyze multiple possible solutions. It also explains creativity.

What are the effects of college on the young adults?

Psychologist and textbook writer Kathleen Berger explains a very important aspect of college life. After carefully explaining and considering anxiety and disidentification she is drawing the important conclusion – that hard work during the years spent in college results in deeper and more dialectical thought of reasoning. Dialectical thought is probably the most advance cognitive process which involves thinking about a thesis and antithesis. It also involves Hegel’s philosophical concept that each and every truth or idea has implanted within itself the exact opposite. Thus, young adults are capable of considering multiple choices and points of view, coming up with their own thesis, considering an antithesis and combining them in a synthesis. Ideally, all of these processes are being strengthened in college, as the person encounters many new fields of information, gets involved in hot debates in search of the ‘truth’, and may spend months or years in researching a single problem. Needless to say, college improves one’s reading and analytical skills.

What can be a central challenge of this time period?

According to psychologist Erik Erikson, the central developmental challenge in young adulthood is Intimacy vs. Isolation. Erikson explains that people in this stage desire to form meaningful relationships where they can love and be loved, sharing their personal life. However, this can happen after the person has emerged Adolescence with a secure sense of Self/ Identity. Otherwise, one is at risk of suffering isolation and loneliness. Not being able to answer the question “Who am I?” can easily explain why sharing and being committed to someone else is difficult.

Why is intimacy so important?

Intimacy is a physical, mental and emotional state of total sharing with another individual, where the relationship is strengthened by attachment and physical proximity. Intimacy is not only associated with physical attractiveness or sexuality, but also with platonic feelings of love and closeness. To a great extent, it is a ‘two-way-street’ and can truly be accomplished only of it is shared by the two people in the relationship.

Since relationships are so important, what are the gateways to friendship? What are exclusion criteria?

There are many qualities in a person that we consciously and/or unconsciously consider before establishing any sort of relationship with them. Often, proximity in appearance, physical attractiveness, social status, level of intelligence and moral values are among these qualities. Exclusion criteria are the person’s reasons for excluding certain people from their circle of friends and/or partners. These are strictly personal and therefore, may vary greatly from one individual, to another.

What are some gender differences in friendships?

The general differences that men and women have are easily transmitted in the friendships that they have. Women, in their friendships, tend to talk about their feelings, intimate relationships, problems in the family and with their loved ones, personal fears, wishes and difficulties. On the other hand, men tend to bond around a mutual hobby or interest that they have. Usually, that is sports, cars, politics or their work. From my personal observations, I dare say that it almost seems as if men work hard to avoid sharing. It is funny, how many men may seem scared if you confront them with a personal question, even if you are a friend. Many of my good friends are boys and I have noticed that they are able to confide better with a woman than with another man.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of co-habitation?

Living together with a significant other, without marriage can be viewed as a way to strengthen the relationship and help you really get to know each other. However, I was surprised to read about all the drawbacks that author Kathleen Berger points out. Obviously, research shows that co-habitations bring more stress and less financial satisfaction. Also, it appears that health problems, physical abuse and alcohol abuse are more common among co-habitants that among married people.

What are some of the contemporary changes in marriage?

The number of people who get married has dropped dramatically over the past century. Statistics show that almost a half of all births are to single mothers and in another 20%, the conception has taken place before the actual marriage. Less and less people in young adulthood tend to get married, as the average age is increasing. Shockingly, the divorce rate is 49% of the marriage rate. All of these contemporary changes really imply little faith in the marriage institution.

What is homogamy?

Homogamy exists in the relationship of two individuals when they share mutual values, goals, interests, socio-economic status, ethnical and social background and religion.

What is patriarchal terrorism and how does it relate to spouse abuse?

Spouse abuse as well as common couple violence appears to be very common in relationships. This is often explained with the huge amount of stress that people suffer every day. Sometimes, violence is just a part of one’s cultural or/and personal background which makes it a repeatable pattern. Patriarchal Terrorism stands for a type of spouse abuse where the husband (usually) is using violent methods to degrade, punish or isolate his wife, thus making her feel vulnerable and helpless. This, then, strengthens his sense of superiority.

What is generativity?

Generativity is an essential theme throughout adulthood (and also one Erikson’s developmental challenges in life). It stands for one’s desire to be active, effective and functioning at his/her peak. It is the motivation behind personal and professional accomplishments and pursuing goals.

What is “the social clock” ?

The concept of the ‘social clock’ explains the expectations that a society holds as to what roles should be appropriate for a particular developmental stage. These, however, may vary incredibly from one culture to another and is usually very hard to change, as it is already deeply implanted in the culture and the peoples’ historical background which had shaped them as a society. In many parts of the world it is well accepted that children as old as 10 should take care of their siblings or work in the fields, whereas such practice would be unacceptable or even punished by the law in the United States or most European countries. In the same way, in many societies, marriages among young adolescents are encouraged – a practice that might be illegal in other parts of the world.

The Eight Millennium Development Goals cont.

Step Two: Achieving universal primary education.

In most parts of Europe and America, education is taken for granted and, even worse, children often consider it a method adults have invented to torture them. And while getting education is considered the normal thing to do, one may go through college without fully appreciating how lucky he or she is. You hear college students say “I wonder what I’m still doing here! I can learn so much more in the real world, without writing papers and reading assignments.” Needless to say, that person does not have second thoughts about the millions of people who have never held a pen in their hand and cannot write their name or express themselves in an essay. Probably, we, the lucky ones, who got a diploma, are responsible for those who cannot write a letter to some social organization and cannot complain in writing to their government. Perhaps, education is supposed to help us better understand the suffering of these people. Perhaps, this is responsibility we have to admit and commit to. In complaining that the computer labs in one’s university are somewhat ‘out of date’ let us spare a thought for the people who will never have the chance to learn what a computer is and let us try to build some understanding. In the year 2001, 115 million children in developing countries were out of school. In sub-Saharan Africa only, the percent of children that do not receive education is 42%. Not surprisingly, children from poorer families are even less likely to ever go to school. This leaves us little place to wonder about what chances for success and progress these children have in this highly-competitive world.

In villages in Tanzania, children are suffering too heavy a burden to be concerned with writing homework assignments. From the age of 10, Joyce walked for about 10 hours every night in order to fetch water for her family’s needs, for the day to come. She leaves her village, Uhambingeto, at midnight and returns at about 10 a.m. on the following morning with her burden of 20 liters bucket of water (nearly 22 fluid quarts). Thus, Joyce covers more than 8000 km every year (about 4 970 miles). However, it is wrong to assume we are talking isolated cases. Villagers in Tanzania may not be representative for peoples all over the world, but they surely mean there is something wrong in the order established. The organization of the United Nations has addressed the same problem and has made schools in Tanzania a fact. A fact that gives children there a lot of joy and a way to escape the hard work of their days and feel a part of something greater than working on the fields, perhaps the only fact that will remind them they should have a childhood. At least Joyce’s children will be able to receive primary education.

Recently, in Venezuela, 1.2 million adults were the students of new schools that taught them how to read and write.

In many countries, Pakistan among them, children are important work force. The 14 year old Jabber is one of the child laborers in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city. His job is making construction blocks. The boy who gets up at seven in the morning and works from 8 a.m. until 7 in the evening shares “I don’t like school. I went there once, but never again.” Enduring the hard work all their lives, these adults-to-be have no happy memories of careless childhood, no hopes, or opportunities, but only a few hours of sleep until the next working day.

In yet another part of the globe, Romanian orphans complain they have “nothing to do”. The children explain: “We were not allowed out – and most of the time we were not even allowed to play. It was really boring because there was nothing to do. The staff used to beat us a lot. I think they liked it. Sometimes they would get drunk and then they would hit us really hard. We had a shower once a week, but the carers didn’t want to touch us, so we washed each other. Often we didn’t have any hair (it was shaven off periodically to avoid head lice).” And while this may sound as the horrific description of a concentration camp back in World War II, it is part of Today’s reality.

(Pictures: National Geographic Magazine)

Humanity is waking up to unite and work for achieving a better future for all of us. In the year 2000 the organization of the United Nations came up with “The eight Millennium Developmental Goals” to guide us in out actions in the near future. This blueprint has been agreed to by the world’s leading developmental institutions and all countries. The target date of this Brave Project is the year 2015.

The eight Millennium Development Goals are:

1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

2. To achieve universal primary education.

3. To promote gender equality and to empower women.

4. To reduce child mortality.

5. To improve maternal health.

6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

7. To ensure environmental sustainability.

8. To develop a global partnership for development.

Kofi Annan, the Secretary-general of the United Nation, prompted people that “we must start now. And we must more than double global development assistance over the next few years. Nothing less will help us achieve the Goals.” Nine years have passed since the goals have been clearly formulated. However, does it happen that we ask ourselves “How much did we achieve?” and “Where will we be in 2015?” The 2005 report of the United Nations states that poverty is falling and progress has been made against hunger. Also, efforts have been made to make sure that children in sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and Oceania are receiving “a high-quality education”. The report reads “the gender gap is closing” and “death rates in children under age 5 are dropping”. Yet another thing we have to be extremely proud of is that “some progress has been made in reducing maternal deaths in developing countries, but not in the countries where giving birth is most risky.” As to Goal 6 in the plan for development, it is stated that yet “there is no cure for AIDS, and prevention efforts must be intensified in every region of the world if the target is to be reached.” In ensuring environmental sustainability we did not have huge success, as “most countries have committed to the principles of sustainable development. But this has not resulted in sufficient progress to reverse the loss of the world’s environmental resources. Achieving the goal will require greater attention”. The mere fact that there is “The United Nations Millennium Declaration” is enough to show we have already developed some global partnership that we can feel proud of. Nine years have passed, and all we have are vague statements that have only one message – we need not lose all hope yet, someone, out there, is working on those issues; someone out there probably cares, so that humanity may eventually face 2015 with pride – we have achieved the Millennium Development Goals.

After all, we have six more years until the onset of the target-date and, we all know, anything may happen in six years. Setting highly challenging goals for oneself is, undoubtedly, motivating, but when the subject of consideration is millions of people all over the world we need to be a little more realistic, rather than romantically-ambitious. Are our good intentions just another paradox in our times?

Let us track our progress…