2014/10/23 by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · Engineering · #Youth Education and Societal Dynamics #Ideal (ethics) #Work (physics) #Identity (music) #Unemployment #Section (typography) #Order (exchange) #Public relations #Social psychology #Sociology #Psychology #Political science #Engineering #Aesthetics #Business #Economics #Advertising #Economic growth #Law
paper · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0007
openalex publication_date 2014/10/23 · openalex created_date 2022/05/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract In this chapter the focus is on how emerging adults go about searching for satisfying work. It is emphasized that the ideal for emerging adults is finding a job that clicks with their developing identity. However, relatively few pursue this ideal in a systematic way, and many take a job of any kind in order to pay their bills. Next is a look at variations in being ready to make a long-term decision about work. Unemployment prevalence among young people is discussed, including the basis for it. This is followed by a section describing influences on job choice, especially the complex influences parents can have, and a section describing the dreams that some emerging adults have for an alluring and sometimes elusive work ideal. The chapter ends with a section on work and identity that attempts to integrate the previous material into a theoretical framework.