The 3 stages of adulthood (and their main characteristics)

Growing up is scary, that's undeniable, but it's also an exciting time since we have at our disposal different opportunities to direct our life according to how we have dreamed of doing it or in in this case, experiment a few times to finally find the path we want to travel and where we want settle down.

Ultimately, being an adult is quite an adventure, but it is a stage in which we must have in mind a final destination that we will eventually call home. Although that does not prevent us from going on vacation from time to time and still being, in a way, children who explore the world.

Adulthood is the greatest change of all our lives, it represents the end of youth and the beginning of a major chapter, with all its letters. Responsibilities, autonomy, independence, romance, obligations, and family are all issues that characterize adulthood. However, we can also say that it is the perfect stage where we can do and practice what we most like. like it without having to ask permission and being consistent with our past, present and future.

Therefore, in this article we will now talk about all the stages of adulthood and their main characteristics that now surround your world or that await you very soon.

What is adulthood?

In theory, adulthood is the stage that continues after adolescence, marking the end of the changes hormonal, physical, emotional and psychological to give way to the construction of the integral being full. This entails the establishment of the system of beliefs and personal values, sense of responsibility, financial independence, development of commitment, search for professional development and inclination for more stable relationships, both in the casual sphere and in the intimate.

This is due to all the factors that comprise the stage of adulthood in general, which are: health, condition physical and emotional, relationships and emotional ties, dependence and independence, life habits and development professional. Each one, directly and indirectly affecting the quality of life of the person and their path towards that future that they once dreamed of in youth, as the psychoanalyst pointed out Erik erikson.

Stages of adulthood and their main characteristics

However, as adulthood is made up of changes that revolve around our stability, independence and reproduction, We will talk about these three stages and their characteristics below.

1. Early adulthood

It is characterized by being the period of time between the end of the adolescence and before beginning middle adulthood, in an age range between 21-40 years, making it one of the longest stages of human development of all. Although coming of age all over the world It is recognized from the age of 18According to development experts, adulthood begins at age 21 where the late adolescent period ends, although there are those who claim that it can begin as early as age 18.

At this stage, young people are full of energy, expectations with life and with great creative potential that they are about to develop with entry to higher education and which, eventually, will become the career to which they will dedicate themselves for the rest of their life. So they are excited with the discovery of this new facet where they have already left behind the stage of confusion to focus on their professional training.

Early Adulthood Characteristics

As it is a fairly long stage, they include various characteristics that influence the development of their life.

1.1. Independence

At this stage you begin to have a first approach towards independence. Although some have not yet moved from their parents' house, their independence can be seen in having their own finances (when starting to work), responsibilities in the contribution from the household (such as buying food, paying rent, etc.) academic independence (when studying the chosen career) and promotion of their skills developed in the adolescence.

1.2. End of physical development

Adolescence is made up of thousands of changes in people's figure, however, this development stops once they reach early adulthood. Although around their twenties of age, people have greater strength and muscle tone, so their body is more agile and resistant.

So you have to have fixed health routines adaptable to the daily life that you live, such as continuous physical exercises, moments of rest and relaxation, recreation, healthy eating and a good quality of sleep so that the body not only rests, but is revitalized for the new day.

1.3. Cognitive development

At this stage, people are capable of solving highly complex problems and are exposed to greater number of obstacles, representing the way in which they achieve the evolution of their capacities and the construction of their being integral. Although these can also be an important feature in the development of psychosomatic illnesses and even mental disorders.

One of the great examples that we can mention is poor stress management, the development of anxiety, phobias, social distancing or isolation, and in more serious cases, depression. This is because it is precisely in the early adulthood stage that mental illnesses most manifest themselves.

1.4. Social and affective evolution

As for the social environment, it has a great change and evolution in favor of what people consider related to their preferences. So that they can narrow down their large groups of friends, by a smaller and closer circle, the which you can build during your studies or your professional environment or include them with your friends from past.

While the affective part also has an important change, as young people discover their own individual potential, they seek to have relationships that adapt to their new rhythm of life. So they can begin to experiment with casual relationships (during their twenties) or try a more intimate and committed relationship where they form a family (later in life).

1.5. Establishment of morality

In early adulthood, the foundations of one's beliefs, as well as opinions and moral values, are laid, depending on the way in which the world is perceived through experiences lived in higher education, in the professional sphere and in new interpersonal relationships.

On the other hand, these can begin to establish themselves long after experiencing risky behaviors or adventures where they discharge all the accumulated energy until finally they lead to a suitable stability for they.

2. Middle adulthood

This is composed between the ages of 40 to 60 years of age approximately, and it is the stage prior to old age, during this stage people are focused on their professional career, the education of their children and preparing for their future retirement, so that some try to practice new activities that help them face the end of their work stage and even paternal.

Characteristics of middle adulthood

During this stage, new changes continue to occur, but this time they are at the culmination of a circle already lived.

2.1. The new stage of rebellion

Only this time it is known as ‘the midlife crisis’ where some people in their mid-40s and 50s wish to relive their best years of youth, through the clothes they wear, engaging in risky activities, getting along with younger people (sometimes their children's friends), or spending too much time in the same circle as their children. Completely atypical behaviors for his age.

This process takes place due to the search for a new identity of its own, it is also known as ‘midescence’ from English (middlescence).

2.2. Physical development

This stage is characterized by having a kind of setback in terms of strength and toning of the body in two directions: weight gain or decrease in muscle tone, while the flexibility and elasticity of the skin decreases, so wrinkles appear on the face, hands or feet.

In turn, there is a degeneration in the sensory and psychomotor senses, such as loss of sight, hearing or coordination, requiring the use of assistive devices. This is only an indication that it is necessary to reinforce physical training, as well as mental training to prevent the development of diseases.

2.3. Cognitive development

In the same way as in the previous described, there is a prevalence of decrease in terms of cognitive abilities, which are reducing their functionality. As is the case with memory, attention and orientation. So it is important to do activities to strengthen mental alertness and keep active neurons, a good example is reading, developing new skills, mental games and a lot physical activity.

2.4. Moral bases

The moral bases here seem to have two aspects, to strengthen the rules and values ​​according to what he learned throughout his life and what he taught to their children, while, on the other hand, they have greater flexibility regarding the new beliefs of their environment and can adapt to they. This is because they have a greater inclination for the will and well-being of people than for what they think about how they should live properly.

2.5. Afective relationships

Having a person in a stable relationship can be essential to have a stable and pleasant retirement, as they dedicate themselves to reviving the flame of the early stages of the marriage relationship and even the engagement. While this is vitally important for ideal parenting, in which both parents agree on the best way to raise their children and support them in what they decide to do with their lives.

And speaking of children, they become a large part of affective relationships, since the bond is reinforced in a greater way, as well as with their parents. However, they must prepare for their imminent death.

3. Late adulthood

We have finally reached the last stage of adulthood that is still controversial for some theorists, who affirm that this stage is characterized by old age and that is how they name this stage or ‘old age’ and which It is understood after 60 years of age onwards.

At this stage, the most important thing is to have adequate stability, which maintains a balance between relaxing activities and continue with physical and mental exercises so that there is no degeneration in these aspects. In addition, older adults are more sensitive to feeling lonely or weak, so having training routines daily training is the most ideal to ensure you have an elevated mood and the same confidence that you do years ago.

While emotional ties are more inclined towards commitment and accompaniment, so they enjoy be with their family, but also be with friends with whom they can share this particular stage of their lifetime.

The quality of life is now more important than ever, taking this into account, it is necessary to continue to maintain a healthy and highly nutritious diet, so that strength can be restored in the muscles and bones, which tend to weaken and prevent the development of serious diseases such as the Cancer. All this in order to have a stable life until the end.

Adulthood, as you can see, is the longest stage and where the changes that are intertwined with that future that we so long awaited occur.