Flourishing in Emerging Adulthood

The goal of this volume is to highlight the third decade of life as one in which individuals have diverse opportunities for positive development that may set the stage for future adult development, as well as to encourage more research on how young people are flourishing during this time period. Despite a preponderance of focus on the negative or dark side of emerging adulthood in research and the media, there is mounting evidence that this time period, at least for a significant majority, is a unique developmental period in which positive development is fostered. The volume consists of chapters written by leading scholars in diverse disciplines who address various aspects of flourishing. It addresses multiple aspects of positive development, including how young people flourish in key areas of emerging adulthood (e.g., identity, love, work, worldviews), the various unique opportunities afforded to young people to flourish (e.g., service experiences, university-based cultural immersion), how flourishing might look different around the world, and how flourishing can occur in the face of challenge (e.g., health issues, disabilities, exposure to violence). In addition, most chapters are accompanied by essays from emerging adults who exemplify the aspect of flourishing denoted in that chapter, and make note of how choices and experiences helped them (or are currently helping them) transition to adulthood. Taken together, the book provides rich evidence and examples of how young people are flourishing as a group and as individuals in a variety of settings and circumstances.