Emerging Adulthood, a Pre-adult Life-History Stage

• Authors: Ze'ev Hochberg, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; Melvin Konner, Emory University
• Journal Title: Frontiers in Endocrinology
• Volume: Volume 10
• Publisher: Frontiers Media | 2020-01-14
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00918
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Human Development; Psychology, Behavioral; Biology, Neuroscience; Psychology, Psychobiology
• Keywords: life history; adolescence; human evolution; hominin; comparative development; brain development; maturation; mammals

Abstract

The duration of human maturation has been underestimated; an additional 4–6-year pre-adult period of “emerging adulthood,” should be included in models of human maturation. It is a period of brain maturation, learning about intimacy and mutual support, intensification of pre-existing friendships, family-oriented socialization, and the attainment of those social skills that are needed for mating and reproduction. We propose that emerging adulthood is a life-history stage that is a foundation of the high reproductive success of human beings. The period of emerging adulthood has an evolutionary context and developmental markers, and we present evidence that supports the idea that emerging adults require protection because they are still learning and maturing.