Know & Go: Emerging Adulthood and Adulting Programs for Teens and College Students

Led by the work of the psychology professor Jeffrey Arnet and his article "Emerging Adulthood: A Theory of Development from the Late Teens Through the Twenties," emerging adulthood considers the period from the late teens through twenties as a time of distinct psychological and behavioral development that may result in individuals taking longer to achieve the traditional milestones of adulthood - moving out of their parents’ home, involving themselves in a career, getting married, and having children. As educational pursuits become more academically intensive, there can be little room left for learning basic life skills. As libraries begin to take on more unique roles in the community, offering Adulting 101 programs to teens and college students is a great way to prepare young adults for their first steps into independence. Gain an understanding of the opportunities for Adulting 101 programs, discuss the types of basic life skills teens want to learn, and look at examples of these types of programs from libraries across the country.