On the Frontier of Adulthood: Theory, Research, and Public Policy (John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Mental Health and Develo) [Hardcover]

Richard A. Settersten Jr. (Editor), Frank F. Furstenberg Jr. (Editor), Ruben G. Rumbaut (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226748898 | ISBN-13: 978-0226748894 | Publication Date: March 1, 2005 | Edition: 2nd

On the Frontier of Adulthood reveals a startling new fact: adulthood no longer begins when adolescence ends. A lengthy period before adulthood, often spanning the twenties and even extending into the thirties, is now devoted to further education, job exploration, experimentation in romantic relationships, and personal development. Pathways into and through adulthood have become much less linear and predictable, and these changes carry tremendous social and cultural significance, especially as institutions and policies aimed at supporting young adults have not kept pace with these changes.

This volume considers the nature and consequences of changes in early adulthood by drawing upon a wide variety of historical and contemporary data from the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. Especially dramatic shifts have occurred in the conventional markers of adulthood—leaving home, finishing school, getting a job, getting married, and having children—and in how these experiences are configured as a set. These accounts reveal how the process of becoming an adult has changed over the past century, the challenges faced by young people today, and what societies can do to smooth the transition to adulthood.
 
"This book is the most thorough, wide-reaching, and insightful analysis of the new life stage of early adulthood."—Andrew Cherlin, Johns Hopkins University
 
"From West to East, young people today enter adulthood in widely diverse ways that affect their life chances. This book provides a rich portrait of this journey-an essential font of knowledge for all who care about the younger generation."—Glen H. Elder Jr., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 
"On the Frontier of Adulthood adds considerably to our knowledge about the transition from adolescence to adulthood. . . . It will indeed be the definitive resource for researchers for years to come. Anyone working in the area—whether in demography, sociology, economics, or developmental psychology—will wish to make use of what is gathered here."—John Modell, Brown University
 
"This is a must-read for scholars and policymakers who are concerned with the future of today's youth and will become a touchpoint for an emerging field of inquiry focused on adult transitions."—Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Columbia University

 
 


 

(20041026)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With all of its uncertainties and consequences, the young adult transition remains a source of great fascination and concern. How one enters adulthood matters, and we know surprisingly little about how children make their way to adult roles. On the Frontier of Adulthood tells us a story of remarkable variation in this transition by historical time and across contemporary societies. From West to East, young people today enter adulthood in widely diverse ways that affect their life chances. This book provides a rich portrait of this journey-an essential font of knowledge for all who care about the younger generation."--Glen H. Elder Jr., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

(Glen H. Elder Jr. Glen H. Elder Jr. 20041026)

"This book is the most thorough, wide-reaching, and insightful analysis of the new life stage of early adulthood. It emphasizes the diversity of young adults'' experiences today and explores the different life paths they follow. It concludes with some valuable lessons for public policy."--Andrew Cherlin, Johns Hopkins University

(Andrew Cherlin Andrew Cherlin 20041026)

"On the Frontier of Adulthood adds considerably to our knowledge about the transition from adolescence to adulthood, in the hope that the information may also be used to affect policy. It will indeed be the definitive resource for researchers for years to come. Anyone working in the area-whether in demography, sociology, economics, or developmental psychology-will wish to make use of what is gathered here."--John Modell, Brown University

(John Modell John Modell )

"On the Frontier of Adulthood is a remarkable and timely volume on that often ignored and sometimes misunderstood transition between adolescence and adulthood. The editors focus on the myriad choices that youth have available to them and the difficulties associated with negotiating the challenges of being twenty-something in our society. The complexity of life paths, the unequal distribution of opportunities, and the patchwork nature of institutions and policies directed toward serving twenty-somethings are all described in arresting detail. This is a must-read for scholars and policymakers who are concerned with the future of today''s youth and will become a touchpoint for an emerging field of inquiry focused on adult transitions."--Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Columbia University

(Jeanne Brooks-Gunn Jeanne Brooks-Gunn )

"Start with 14 massive longitudinal data sets, add analysis and insight from 35 academics . . . stir in MacArthur Foundation funding for this network to meet and collaborate, and let the mix mature and take shape for several years. The result: sixteen chapters, most of them quite good and some excellent, in a very large volume that is, arguably, the most definitive overview yet of the emerging phenomenon of early adulthood in North America."

(Harvey Krahn Canadian Journal of Sociology )

"The breadth and depth of this volume make it an invaluable guide for scholars, policymakers, and program officers. . . . The book''s strengths lie in its comprehensive treatment of the contemporary experience of becoming adult, the variety of data sets and methods used, and its ability to look both backward to how adulthood was achieved by earlier generations and forward to how we as a society can smooth the transition for future generations."—Ann Meier, Journal of Marriage and Family

(Ann Meier Journal of Marriage and Family )

"The strength of the book lies in the vast detail provided on what it takes to be an adult in contemporary western society written by talented scholars, most of whom are the leading figures in their subdisciplines. The coverage of topics and the theoretical and empirical insights are almost exhaustive."—Monica A. Longmore, Contemporary Sociology

(Monica A. Longmore Contemporary Sociology )

"This volume is really at the frontier of research on young adulthood and makes a very important contribution to the literature on the transition to adulthood. As such, it is compulsory reading for anyone with a serious interest in this life phase."

(Aart C. Liefbroer European Journal of Population )

"This work amply demonstrates that changing social conditions have also changed the way young people transition to adulthood. . . . This is the initial effort of a large, important, and continuing project."

(Harris Chaiklin Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease )

"The strengths of this text include its broad scope, use of rigorous, empirical research to explicate the themes, clear writing, and sophisticated grasp of the multiple perspectives necessary for understanding the changes in early adulthood over the past century. . . . On the Frontier of Adulthood  is highly recommended for students, researchers, and policymakers who are interested in the emerging field of early adulthood. It is comprehensive, yet readable, and would be an appropriate graduate course text, and a welcome addition to a more experienced scholar''s library."

(Sarah Taylor Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare )

From the Inside Flap

On the Frontier of Adulthood reveals a startling new fact: adulthood no longer begins when adolescence ends. A lengthy period before adulthood, often spanning the twenties and even extending into the thirties, is now devoted to further education, job exploration, experimentation in romantic relationships, and personal development. Pathways into and through adulthood have become much less linear and predictable, and these changes carry tremendous social and cultural significance, especially as institutions and policies aimed at supporting young adults have not kept pace with these changes.

In On the Frontier of Adulthood, Richard A. Settersten Jr., Frank F. Furstenberg Jr., Rubén G. Rumbaut, and a team of distinguished contributors consider the nature and consequences of changes in early adulthood by drawing on a wide variety of historical and contemporary data from the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. Especially dramatic shifts have occurred in the conventional markers of adulthood-leaving home, finishing school, getting a job, getting married, and having children-and in how these experiences are configured as a set. These accounts reveal how the process of becoming an adult has changed over the past century, what the challenges faced by young people today are, and what societies can do to smooth the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

A dramatic summation of how the structure of early adult life has changed in the last century, On the Frontier of Adulthood will be viewed as the definitive source on the subject for years to come.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 2nd edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226748898
• ISBN-13: 978-0226748894
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,305,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rick Settersten, Ph.D. is Hallie Ford Endowed Chair and professor of Human Development and Family Sciences, and director of the Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, at Oregon State University. He is also a member of the MacArthur Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood. A graduate of Northwestern University, Settersten has held fellowships at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin, the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern, and the Spencer Foundation in Chicago. He is author or editor of many scientific articles and several books, including On the Frontier of Adulthood. Besides MacArthur, his research has been supported by divisions of the National Institutes of Health.

http://www.notquiteadults.com
http://www.ricksettersten.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "On the Frontier of Adulthood: Outstanding Text, October 10, 2010

By 

Mickey Grossman "mickeyot" (johnson city, tn) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Frontier of Adulthood: Theory, Research, and Public Policy (John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Mental Health and Develo) (Paperback)

|TITLE| "On The Frontier of Adulthood: Theory, Research, and Public Policy." By Frank F. Furstenberg, Ruben G. Rumbaut, Richard A. Settersten. Chicago University of Chicago Press. 2008, 608 pages (soft cover)

In this, our time of proposed and needed change, more specifically in and during our National Presidential election year. It is empowering to note the stated goals of this text are listed as being focused on, "Theory, Research, and Public Policy." Change, our change as a culture, as a nation, as a people, may well be the raison d'etre of this text. All who serve, as responsible members of our society need this inexpensive, well-referenced thoroughly researched treatise that presents one-of-a kind perspectives on who we - as a culture - are, where we - as a culture - have been and where we -as a culture - are going.
Our most fundamental cultural myths are challenged. For example, we learn that in all reasonable probability, more likely than not, that our so-called good old days probably never existed, except perhaps in our collective wishful memories.
Detailed, statistically significant charts, and graphs do appear to validate the reasonable opinions and reasonable conclusions of the authors so that there can be no doubt as to the veracity and validity of the conclusions and statements of the authors.
So very many questions are both asked and then answered. Is marriage necessary? Is family necessary? Is community service necessary? Is religious affiliation necessary? Are all of these truly necessary for our reasonably healthy role-transitions to adulthood? If so, then, the authors conclude that the absence of marriage, work, family, community service, and religious affiliation represents an inability to complete a healthy role-transition to adulthood.
Above all, this text provides a fair, balanced, all-inclusive perspective. Nothing is awkward. Nothing is sacred. Nothing is left out. For example we all may well know contemporary couples that do marry and in so doing take the equivalent of a marriage vow. Nevertheless just as these couples usually do not check out their respective Rh-Factor compatibility and/or incompatibility prior to marriage these couples do not, generally, address their issue of considering the feasibility of their becoming parents. One member of the marital couple; i.e. one spouse, may well wish to become a parent while the other does not, particularly, wish to become a parent. Worse still-one spouse may well have a profound aversion to becoming a parent. This issue as well as related issues is addressed in this text and well supported by thoughtfully selected references.
. Age 18 years is currently defined as the legal, virtually magic age in our United States at which children, {age-out}, (the term was new to me although the basic principle was one with which I am reasonably familiar); These teenagers, with or without special needs are now newly- minted, newly -defined-by-law as adult children. Suddenly, they supposed to exit foster care or to leave our juvenile justice system without any particular plan for where they will go, for what they will do, for who will provide for their needs and/or for how they will they themselves provide for their own needs.
This paragraph raises an interesting point, i.e. affordability of health insurance for young people with pre-existing conditions previously supported by their parents We all know that more and more of our special needs children afflicted with developmental disabilities, conditions and disorders are reaching the age of 18 years and beyond including but not limited to our children with somewhat reduced intellectual functioning disorders, our children with congenital cardiovascular disorders, our autistic children, and our children afflicted with cystic fibrosis; all of these and more probably cannot usually obtain affordable health insurance. Further our afflicted youngsters - when they are now newly defined-by-law as our newly minted adults - may not be covered under the health insurance plans of their families-of-origin. The authors appropriately wonder what the future holds. .
. Needed change, necessary change may well be the basis of this text. What needs to change? Perhaps the answer is our cultural paradigm needs to shift. Perhaps we, as a nation, as a culture need to consider the task, our task, admittedly a challenge, of endeavoring to ask the hard questions, and providing the needed, necessary taxing responses in order to serve the needs of all of our culturally diverse membership and culturally diverse fellowship. This cannot be easy. This will only begin because our collective hearts call us to begin this job; that will be, necessarily, the work of our lifetime; and perhaps may well be the work of several lifetimes. That is the reason d'etre of the value of this text to our children, our grandchildren and us...and to generations beyond!
The value of this text to present and future generations is immense. I plan to keep my copy handy on my desk for re-reading and for teaching students.

Respectfully submitted by Josh Grossman, Colonel {r}, U.S. Army Medical Corps, M.D., F.A.C.P.
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