childhood to adulthood essay

Essay On Childhood Vs Adulthood

Table of Contents

Short Essay On Childhood Vs Adulthood

Childhood and adulthood are two distinct stages in a person’s life, marked by significant differences in experiences, responsibilities, and freedoms. While childhood is characterized by innocence, playfulness, and a lack of responsibility, adulthood is defined by maturity, independence, and a sense of duty.

Childhood is a time of growth and discovery, characterized by a sense of wonder and innocence. Children have fewer responsibilities and are free to explore their interests and passions. They have ample time to play and engage in activities that bring them joy and happiness. This stage of life is marked by a lack of stress and worries, as most of the major decisions are made by parents or guardians.

On the other hand, adulthood is a time of increased responsibility and self-reliance. Adults are expected to make their own decisions and take care of themselves and others. They are also responsible for providing for their families, maintaining their homes, and contributing to society. While adulthood brings a sense of independence, it also brings with it a greater sense of stress and pressure, as adults are required to make important decisions that impact their lives and the lives of those around them.

Despite the differences between childhood and adulthood, both stages have their unique advantages and challenges. Childhood provides individuals with the freedom to explore and learn, while adulthood allows them to put their knowledge and experiences into practice. Childhood provides a sense of innocence and joy, while adulthood provides a sense of independence and purpose.

In conclusion, childhood and adulthood are two distinct stages of life, marked by significant differences in experiences, responsibilities, and freedoms. While childhood is a time of growth and discovery, adulthood is a time of increased responsibility and self-reliance. Both stages have their advantages and challenges, and it is important to embrace each stage and make the most of the opportunities and experiences they provide.

Long Essay On Childhood Vs Adulthood

We all have fond memories of our childhood – the days of innocence and exploration, where there were no worries or responsibilities. But when adulthood comes around, it can often seem like these carefree days are long gone. In this essay we will compare the differences between childhood and adulthood, exploring how growing up affects us in both positive and negative ways.

Introduction: A Brief Overview of the Contrast Between Childhood and Adulthood

It is often said that childhood is the best time of one’s life. While it is true that childhood is a carefree and happy time, there are also some major differences between childhood and adulthood. For one, children are much more dependent on their parents or guardians than adults are. Adults have to work to earn money to support themselves, whereas children rely on their parents for financial support. Additionally, adults have more responsibilities and obligations than children do. They may have a job, a family, or other commitments that take up their time and energy. Children, on the other hand, typically have fewer obligations and can spend their days playing and exploring. Another key difference between childhood and adulthood is maturity level. Adults are expected to be more mature than children, as they have usually had more life experience. This means that they are better able to handle difficult situations and make sound decisions. Finally, adults generally have more freedom than children do. They can come and go as they please and make choices about their lives without needing approval from anyone else. All of these factors combine to create a contrast between the carefree days of childhood and the more complicated reality of adulthood.

Body Paragraph 1: Differences in Behavior and Lifestyle

In childhood, most people are not yet aware of the many responsibilities that come with adulthood. As such, they tend to live a carefree life without worrying too much about the future. They are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors and take risks without thinking about the consequences.

Adults, on the other hand, are typically more responsible and cautious. They often have to juggle multiple responsibilities such as work, family, and other commitments. This can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety. Adults are also less likely to take risks than children since they have a better understanding of the potential consequences.

Body Paragraph 2: Differences in Perceptions of Time

There are many differences in perceptions of time between childhood and adulthood. As children, time seems to move more slowly. This is likely because childhood is a relatively carefree time without many responsibilities. In contrast, adulthood is often perceived as a time of hurry and stress. This is because adults typically have more demands on their time, such as work and family obligations.

Childhood is also generally considered to be a happier time than adulthood. This is likely due to the fact that children have fewer worries and concerns than adults. Adults often have to deal with financial problems, health issues, and other stressful life circumstances. As a result, they often don’t have as much time or energy for fun and relaxation.

While there are some differences in perceptions of time between childhood and adulthood, there are also some similarities. For example, both children and adults can experience boredom at times. And both groups can find joy and satisfaction in activities that they enjoy doing. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to make the most of the time they have, regardless of their age.

Body Paragraph 3: Differences in Goals and Dreams

As we age, our goals and dreams naturally change. For some of us, this means pursuing more ambitious career goals, while others may prioritize personal relationships or travel. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to reflect on how our goals and dreams have changed from childhood to adulthood – and what factors have influenced those changes.

For many of us, our early childhoods are filled with innocence and hope. We dream of becoming astronauts or princesses, without a care in the world. As we get older, however, we start to become more aware of the reality around us. We may no longer believe that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, instead feeling limited by our circumstances.

There are a number of factors that can influence our goals and dreams as we age. Our family background, education, and life experiences all play a role in shaping our aspirations. In some cases, we may even give up on our childhood dreams altogether as we come to accept that they’re simply not possible.

While it’s normal for our goals and dreams to change over time, it’s important to reflect on why those changes occur. By understanding the factors that influence our aspirations, we can better appreciate the choices we make in adulthood – and ensure that they align with our true desires.

Body Paragraph 4: Differences in Social Environment

There are many differences between the social environment of childhood and adulthood. For one, children are generally more supervised than adults. They are also less likely to have to worry about things like bills, work, and other responsibilities. Adults also generally have more freedom when it comes to their social lives. They can choose to spend time with whomever they want and do not have to answer to anyone else. Additionally, adults typically have more opportunities to meet new people and make friends.

Conclusion: Summarizing the Contrasts between Childhood and Adulthood

It is safe to say that childhood and adulthood are two very different stages of life. They each come with their own unique set of challenges and rewards. Here, we have summarized some of the key contrasts between these two phases:

-In childhood, we are largely dependent on others for our care and wellbeing. In adulthood, we are expected to take care of ourselves and others.

-Childhood is often a time of innocence and naivety. Adulthood is typically characterized by greater knowledge and experience.

-Children tend to be more carefree and spontaneous than adults. Adults usually have more responsibilities and commitments.

-Childhood is a time of growth and development. Adulthood is often a time of maintaining our health and well-being.

Manisha Dubey Jha is a skilled educational content writer with 5 years of experience. Specializing in essays and paragraphs, she’s dedicated to crafting engaging and informative content that enriches learning experiences.

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Home Essay Samples Psychology

Essay Samples on Childhood

Evolution of childhood: comparing childhood today to the past.

The concept of childhood has undergone significant transformation over time. Childhood today is vastly different from what it was in the past, shaped by changes in culture, technology, education, and societal norms. This essay explores the key differences and similarities of childhood today compared to...

Childhood and Adulthood: Compare And Contrast the Main Phases of Life

The transition from childhood to adulthood is a profound journey marked by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Childhood and adulthood represent distinct phases of life, each with its own set of experiences, responsibilities, and perspectives. This compare and contrast essay explores the similarities and...

Common Childhood Illness: Treatments and Exclusion Periods

When working with young children, practitioners need to be aware of common childhood illnesses, the signs and symptoms and how to treat children when they become unwell. Common childhood illness includes a common cold, asthma, chickenpox, hand foot and mouth, meningitis, whopping cough, conjunctivitis, and...

Effects Of Growing Up With a Single Parent and How It Can Affect Your Life

Growing up in a single parent household can affect your life in many ways, a few examples includes how you view your relationships, how you carry yourself, and especially your future. Half of my existence I grew up in a single parent household and I...

• Single Parenting

What Was The Environment In Which You Were Raised

I remember myself since I was three years old. I was a lively and inquisitive child. I had many friends and we spent a lot of time together. My parents were very busy at that moment, they were working and building our house. I spent...

• Personal Experience

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Benefits and Importance Of Early Childhood Education

“If school is about learning, and learning starts at birth, then the idea that we expect Kindergarteners to meet their first teachers at age five is all wrong. There is increasing research being facilitated on early education with specific emphasis on the overall benefits it...

• Early Childhood Education
• Importance of Education

The Transition From Childhood To Adulthood

 As human beings, we start off as just a fetus in a mother's womb. However, as time passes, we evolve. Every human being goes through many different phases in life. We go from being babies and eventually we become adults. Each phase is unique and...

Young People And Transition From Childhood To Adulthood

Young people can indeed fail to achieve adulthood but before I begin to answer this question, I would like to state that for the purposes of this essay, I will be using the term ‘youth’ to refer to all young people for this is the...

Wartime In A Novel A Separate Peace

The novel Separate Peace, 1959, depicts a story of a classical English boarding school reminiscent of the Dickensian era of cold showers and beatings. John Knowles uses the historical context of World War Two and his childhood experiences to explore a broad selection of themes:...

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Exploring The Contrast Between Childhood And Adulthood

Childhood and adulthood are different situations in our life. This essay is going to compare and contrast childhood and adulthood. Childhood is the period when we are starts to grow our lives. Childhood is contrasted with infant, we are still young babies. Children can’t think,...

Commercialism, Technology, And Childhood Key Concepts

The objective of this essay is to deliberate the key concepts of childhood through relevant and viable themes of commercialism and the use of technology in childhood nowadays and to discover its effects on the existing discourses of childhood. Additionally, this essay will also delve...

• Effects of Technology
• Tabula Rasa

My Virtual Child: Childhood Development Paper

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• Childhood Development
• Parent-Child Relationship

The Factors That Influence Child's Kindergarten Experience

Majority of children in Estonia go to kindergarten. Kindergarten gives them a good opportunity to socialize, play, learn, make friends and life-long memories. As a teachers’ assistant the most important keywords that I value and work by are noticing, listening, caring, supporting, and guiding. People...

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The Meaning and Essence of the Human Development Index

People experience plenty of changes over the period of their lives. So what is the meaning of human development? The definition of human development is the process of expansion of human’s potential, an increase of choices and opportunities and fulfillment of human rights. According to...

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The Role of Parent Participation in Early Childhood Lessons

Parent participation in early childhood classrooms should not be required. Numerous parents have full-time jobs, so they could be working while their children are in school or sleeping if they worked the night before. Reliable transportation is a huge factor for some parents, as is...

• Childhood Lessons

Lessons Learned from an American Childhood

Dillard’s essay An American Childhood relives a moment in the author’s past which she could not forget as the particular event stirs a certain kind of awareness within her; something that she still carries and that continues to affect her even as an adult. It...

The Impact of Richard Nixon's Troubled Childhood on His Presidency

Richard Nixon’s troublesome childhood helped shape him into the hardworking man he grew up to be. He was born in Yorba Linda, California, along with his three brothers, two of which died during his childhood. After Nixon’s father’s farm failed, his family moved to Whittier,...

• Richard Nixon

Compensating for Ripped Away Childhoods

On any given day, there are about 1.5 million children whose parents are behind bars (Annie 8). Despite the unfathomable affect having their parents ripped away from children can be, in most cases it was their parents own decisions that got them incarcerated. However, what...

• Compensation

The Recollection of False Childhood Memories

An experiment performed in the 1970s studied how people’s memories accountable or misleading are in case they are witnesses to an accident. In this research the participants watched a short video that simulated a car accident. The event happened in an intersection where a stop...

• Childhood Memories

An Analysis of Cognitive Development in Childhood Memories

I think childhood is the most happy and unstressed of my life because when I was a child, I don’t have many responsibilities like now. I can still remember some of my wonderful memories but most of them were my mom tell me. She said...

• Development

Detailed Analysis Emile Durkheim's Theory of Suicide

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• Emile Durkheim

Coming of Age and Progressing Through Childhood in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

In this novel Mark Twain shows how this young boy named Tom acts as he progresses through childhood. He lives with an aunt named Aunt Polly who is a very strict person. When Tom does things that he should not do she punishes him. Even...

• Coming of Age

Metacognition as Remediation of Dyscalculia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Abstract Academic success is an important component in the life of young children and will impact future employment opportunities. Meeting with academic success and being prepared for today's rapidly changing workforce depends upon students being able to develop skills to direct their own learning. Since...

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Atypical Child and Adolescent Development

Symptom Picture Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be determined by continuing extreme obsessions and compulsions that produce severe distress and hinder functioning on a daily basis. Usually, it initiates in adolescence or even in young adulthood and is seen in 1 in 200 children and adolescents...

The Study of Disabilities in Infancy and Early Childhood

Overview Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions that are time consuming and cause distress or interference in the patient’s life (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). OCD affects all age groups independent of race, socioeconomic status or...

Childhood Reflection in Chiron's Character in the Film 'Moonlight'

The minute you are born, society has expectations about who you are. The way you look, sets the expectation for you. Everyone is different in their own way, so people judge you to be yourself when you step out of those standards. People should accept...

Childhood and Relationship with Father in the Fun Home

Fun Home, by Alison Bechel, is a tragicomic based on Alison’s childhood and distant relationship with her father, Bruce. Alison and Bruce want to believe they are different when in reality they face similar inward struggles that ultimately result in broken ties between them. Bruce...

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Exercise Effects of Childhood Leukemia

Introduction Leukemia is a cancer that affects bone marrow and damages the formation of blood cells, and it is the most common childhood cancer and accounts for 30% of all childhood malignancies (Amitay & Keinan-Boker, 2015). While there are several forms of childhood leukemia, acute...

Psychoanalysis: Connection of Our Past Childhood Experiences to the Present

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False Conciousness and Black Childhood

Promiscuous, uneducated, angry, toxic. These are illustrations of prevalent stereotypes of Black girls in America that corroborate the justifications of their quotidian maltreatment. In this paper, I seek to underscore the concept of false consciousness in perceptions of Black girlhood and how it perpetuates the...

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Antoine de Saint-Exupery and His Passion for Flying

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• The Little Prince

Importance of Home in the Children Literature: The Little Prince and Pinocchio

Home is a basic necessity required by all living things to survive. Homes provides solace to retract after a hectic working day. A healthy home is a macrocosm that provides peace and harmony to families. This is the reason as to why some of the...

The Freeing Failure of My First Swimming Experience

My childhood was a fundamental and paramount part of my life, I got through many strenuous and challenging moments. I wasn't the girl that frequently got into trouble; in contrast, I was very bashful, secluded, and typically introverted person. In the middle of summer, my...

Building Child's Resilience in "The Glass Castle"

Jeanette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle, recounts the unconventional historical events of Jeanette’s unusual childhood marked by tenacious poverty and a chaotic lifestyle embodied at the hands of her dysfunctional parents and their errant manner of living. An exceptional attention of Jeanette’s story arises as...

• The Glass Castle

How My Brother Shaped My Personality In Childhood

A majestic playground filled with laughs and memories, and a beautiful curly-headed little girl with locks of gold to match her massive pearl colored house and picture-perfect family. Soon enough to realize that it was all in the distance of my imagination. Growing up with...

• Family Values

Reflections on Cultural Identity in Richard Rodriguez's "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood"

Richard Rodriguez's "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood" offers a compelling exploration of the author's personal journey towards cultural assimilation and the transformation of his linguistic identity. Through poignant anecdotes and introspective reflections, Rodriguez delves into the complexities of growing up in a bilingual...

• Bilingualism
• Richard Rodriguez

Certain Experiences From Our Childhood

A child’s behavior is shaped by their genes and environment. This is where the child is affected both by nature and nurture. Nature affects children because of environment. Nurture affects children from multiple things. For example, home, community, beliefs, and our values. Because children are...

The Influenece Of His Childhood Experiences On Jeffrey Dahmer’s Criminal Path

Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was a serial killer and sex offender born on May 21st of 1960 to Joyce and Lionel Dahmer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An infamous serial killer shocked the the nation with his childhood, crimes, punishment and eventual death. The childhood of one of...

• Criminal Psychology
• Serial Killer

Trapped At Home: The Consequences Of Homeschooling

Throughout the years there have been many controversies whether homeschooling has a beneficial effect on children across the country. Studies show that depriving a child of social experiences they would receive in a traditional school has numerous side effects. More parents are choosing to homeschool...

• Homeschooling

Perspectives On Childhood In The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle has been a controversial topic of discussion since publication in 2005. The memoir is a reflection of the author’s childhood, wherein Jeannette Walls and her three siblings are forced to become independent while their erratic, maverick parents toggle between acting as inspiration...

My Experience Of Growing Overnight

Although at age four I thought I could understand the advice given to me, for whatever reason, I didn’t understand my Mother’s words; “Growing up takes time.” In my bright, red painted room, I could see my mother towering over me trying her best to...

My Interest In Reading Books

My interest in reading started from a very young age when my dad would sit down and read stories to me and my 3 other siblings. I even remember a few times where he would read upwards of five or six books in one night...

• Reading Books

Best topics on Childhood

1. Evolution of Childhood: Comparing Childhood Today to the Past

2. Childhood and Adulthood: Compare And Contrast the Main Phases of Life

3. Common Childhood Illness: Treatments and Exclusion Periods

4. Effects Of Growing Up With a Single Parent and How It Can Affect Your Life

5. What Was The Environment In Which You Were Raised

6. Benefits and Importance Of Early Childhood Education

7. The Transition From Childhood To Adulthood

8. Young People And Transition From Childhood To Adulthood

9. Wartime In A Novel A Separate Peace

10. Exploring The Contrast Between Childhood And Adulthood

11. Commercialism, Technology, And Childhood Key Concepts

12. My Virtual Child: Childhood Development Paper

13. The Factors That Influence Child’s Kindergarten Experience

14. The Meaning and Essence of the Human Development Index

15. The Role of Parent Participation in Early Childhood Lessons

• Confirmation Bias
• Milgram Experiment
• Critical Reflection
• Human Behavior
• Obedience to Authority
• Child Psychology

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Writing the Common App 2016-17 Essay Prompt #5 – Childhood to Adulthood Transition

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With the release of the 2016-17 Common Application essay prompts on August 1, 2016, there has come a flurry of questions, especially on what and how to write the personal statement . Furthermore, the fifth prompt for the Common App, which focuses on the transition from childhood to adulthood, can seem hefty, and people tend to write long books about coming of age. How are you supposed to condense that into an essay under 650 words?

This guide will help you approach and tackle the fifth prompt, and will guide you in writing a thoughtful reflection of yourself as a person and a college applicant. Because the Common App essay is sent to most of the schools you apply to (and is, therefore, not school-specific), this is your chance to paint a picture of yourself entirely free of school names and to add character to your transcript.

Check out our guide below to developing and executing your personal statement strategy in response to the fifth Common Application prompt.

Breaking Down the Prompt

The fifth prompt for the Common App Essay of the 2016-17 admissions cycle:

Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

What does this mean? Basically, the prompt asks you to tell a coming of age story. In other words, you must reflect on a specific accomplishment or event within a group you belong to — your culture, community, or family — and show how you grew, both as a member of the group, but, more importantly, how this was a transition for you as an individual.

What is the Purpose of this Prompt?

In order to better approach your answer to this prompt, you should first consider why this question would be asked on a college application. For one, each college is a group, just like any culture, community, or family. There are rules and standards that each member agrees to that allow the group to function efficiently. In considering your application, admissions officers are trying to imagine you in their community — how and where you would find a place in and contribute to their community, how their group would fit and welcome you, and how you would make their community better.

In your response to this prompt, they want to see that you have an understanding of what makes a community and that you are aware of your place in it. This is your chance to show that you are aware of your role in both your own life and in others’.

Additionally, colleges ask this question because they want to see personal growth. While your transcript, honors, and list of extracurricular activities can show at face value that you have grown in academic and extracurricular pursuits, colleges want to see this embodied in all aspects of your life — even the ones that do not get awarded or recorded on paper. In this prompt, you can illustrate how you have grown as a person, not just as a student, during the formative period of high school.

Finally, colleges want to hear you tell a story about yourself. They want to know what’s important to you and how you define yourself in your own terms. They will read recommenders’ letters about you, but, ultimately, the person who will step onto their campus will be you. For that reason, they want to see how you carry yourself. They want to watch you be creative and thoughtful because this will reflect what you bring to their school.

For thousands of years, stories have been very important to humankind and how humans perceive each other. This is your chance to tell a piece of your own story. Because you are given an option of where to focus your essay — between community, culture, or family – you need to make a choice!

Below you will find an examination of each option to help you choose the one that best suits you. When you have decided upon a community, culture, or family to write about, you will then be better able to identify a transition from childhood to adulthood to write about, along with deciding upon a message and streamlining your ideas.

Consider the Prompt: Communities

If you immediately have an idea about a community you belong to, write down your initial thoughts, and do not worry about having streamlined ideas just yet. If you do not have any ideas right away, or if you’re struggling to come up with more than a couple ideas, start considering your definition of a group or community.

Begin with the question of what makes and what breaks a group. From there, examine which groups in your life you belong to. Move through different types of groups. Perhaps you are a part of your school choir or a sports team — clearly defined, organized groups. Did you have a coming-of-age transition in one of these groups? Along with thinking about leadership roles you may have had in these groups, consider how day-to-day interactions might have changed to reflect a transition.

Then, consider other identifiers that tie you to groups — maybe you love romance novels or have curly hair. How do these identities lead to the creation of groups and communities? How can you transition from child to adult within them?

Take, for example, height. If you are especially short, you might have spent your whole life wishing to be taller. But, maybe there was a moment when another short person (someone you knew or even a stranger) showed you how to embrace your height. How did that change you? How did that moment change how you felt about yourself and your place in the community? Be sure to reflect on this moment transitorily for you as an individual and for you as part of a community.

Consider the Prompt: Culture

Another group to consider your place in is your culture. When you begin to write about your culture, the best place to start is often with a free write to get ideas flowing without the structure of the college essay in mind. You may realize that something that seemed unfit for a college essay could actually be your best idea.

Begin by asking yourself what defines your culture. Is it the food you eat? The music you listen to? The clothing you wear? How does your culture smell? Sound? Feel? What are your traditions? When someone mentions your culture what is the first thing that comes to mind? The first image you see? The first feeling? Are you overwhelmed or underwhelmed by your culture? Start by exploring what your culture is.

What you might think is totally commonplace, natural, and understood by everyone may actually be more unique than you realize.

Additionally, look to older people in your culture and ask them both about their experiences with your culture in general, but also about their childhood-to-adulthood transitions within the culture. Like a journalist, observe! You are gathering information for your story. It may also help you to read authors from within your culture who have discussed this coming-of-age transition.

Often the best way to know what you do and do not want to write about is to read other authors on a subject, and identify what resonates with you and what you disagree on. If you do not have a lot of time to read, even a few short stories might help. After all, your essay has a limit of 650 words and noticing how short story authors craft their words and plots to fit smaller spaces but still carry big meaning can only help you.

O ther forms of art within your culture such as music, poetry, movies, and visual arts, may help you generate ideas as well. What do they identify with? What sticks out to them? What do they love about your culture? What about it do they struggle with? How does this compare to your relationship with your culture?

It also may help to read authors and observe artists from other cultures discuss the transition from childhood to adulthood, as the differences and similarities they identify in transitioning within cultures will help you further consider what is important to include in your essay. Everybody must grow up some day — how does this process change within cultures? How does it stay the same? What will this mean for your essay?

Consider the Prompt: Families

The third type of group you can write about experiencing a childhood-to-adulthood transition is families. With families, you should start with the question of what makes a family. Specifically, what makes your family? Or, how do you define your family? Is it the people you live with, or all of your relatives and anyone who could be remotely tied to you? Does biology matter? Do you choose your family or does your family choose you? Is there any choice?

Remember that, while we often see families as determined by blood ties, there are other types of families, too. What makes a family different from a community or culture? Could a family also be a community or culture?

As with writing about a culture, when writing about your family, it may help to read the work of other authors writing about coming of age experiences, especially under the lens of family. What marked their transition from childhood to adulthood in that context? Was it losing a member of the family? Or perhaps gaining a new one? Was it moving as a family? How did they recognize this transition?

It is also worth asking your own family members if they have observed any such transition for you. Or, if the transition was marked and announced (maybe your parents told you it was time for you to make your own money, or that you had to start taking care of your younger siblings), why did they decide upon that age? Had they planned it, or did they notice something in you that made them think you were ready?

While you may not feel comfortable discussing your essay plans with family members, asking them what they have noticed can provide important insight from someone who is close to you (whether just in proximity or also in feeling) and who has seen you change over more time than a teacher could.

When writing about your family, be aware of family dynamics and relationships that you know about and comprehend, but remember that admissions officers might not understand. Imagine yourself from the perspective of an admissions officer reading hundreds of essays — they need more guidance than someone who knows you and your family.

But, be careful not to spend the whole time explaining the dynamics of your family tree. If you need to explain a complicated relation, try writing it out several different times until you feel it is as clear and concise as possible but still supports your essay. Strike a balance between illustrating your story and allowing room for reflection.  

Next Step: The Transition from Childhood to Adulthood

In writing for the fifth prompt, it may also help you to consider the boundaries of childhood and adulthood. Because leaving for college marks, for many, the first real departure from home, parents, and the familiar, it is often tied up in understandings of childhood and adulthood, as we often associate children with their parents, while adults stand alone.

How does the transition you have already experienced help you understand what college will mean for you? Show that you are thinking about how college will fit into your life — how it will be different from what you have known, but also how (because of the coming of age transition that you experienced) you are ready to handle this new, more independent experience.

Additionally, when you write your essay, make clear how you knew this transition occurred. While it may have been clear to you that a certain event or accomplishment marked a transition to adulthood in your community, culture, or family, it is not necessarily clear to the reader. Even if it is, it is important to expand and reflect upon what those seemingly-obvious events and signals stand for and why they are recognized as such. Show colleges that you reflect on your surroundings and your life — that you are ready for the next level of thinking.

Pick a Specific Moment or Accomplishment

When you have picked what type of group you are going to write about and identify your coming-of-age transition, pick a specific moment or accomplishment to write about. It should be easily identified and distinct. That is, you should be able to summarize it in one or two sentences.

Starting with a single moment or accomplishment will allow you to move outwards, from specific moment to expanding on your culture, community, or family, to a reflection that answers the prompt. While you do not have to follow this order exactly, these are the three main components your essay will need (see the section “Streamlining Your Ideas” below) and starting with a small moment or detail will provide a lens with which to view the whole essay.

How Does this Transition Prepare You for College?

Once you have a moment picked, answer how this transition prepares you for college. Because your ultimate goal is to get into college and because the admissions officers are ultimately trying to decide whether or not you will fit at their college, your essay should aim to illustrate how this transition prepared you for college, along with adulthood.

It is okay if your essay has elements that are sad. The reality is that transitions and change are often painful. Acknowledging this is reasonable and can show an honest approach to the prompt. But, be sure your essay is not overwhelmed by sadness, especially not self-pity. Make sure to end with an upbeat tone so that readers can see how you have learned and grown from this experience. Try to emphasize how this change, however bittersweet, equipped you to move forward onto the next big transition in your life: college.

Streamlining Your Ideas

When you have finished brainstorming, you should have a good idea of what you want your essay to be about. While it is up to you how you order and structure your essay, be sure you have intention behind all of the choices you make in your writing.

For some, it may be helpful to write an outline, whether brief or detailed, beforehand to imagine the structure. For others, it may be easier to write the essay and then go back through to make sure the prompt is answered thoroughly and clearly. No matter how your process flows, your essay should end up covering three things:

• A single moment or accomplishment that marked your transition or one of your transitions from child to adult, situated within your culture, community, or family.
• Your culture, community, or family and why and how that contributes to your identity as a child and adult.
• A reflection on the importance of this transition and a look toward your future in college.

If you structure your essay well and cover these three key elements, you should have answered the prompt thoroughly and clearly, one of the main objectives in writing a personal statement. From there, you can work to embellish with style, theme, and word choice. With hard work, you will have crafted a strong and well-written college essay!

Style, Theme, and Word Choice

Always be sure to define any words or traditions that your reader might not know, and never assume your reader knows what you are talking about. Stylistically, using words from another language adds a deeper level to your essay. It is interesting to the ear, breaking up the familiar flow of English, and shows special knowledge on your part.

Be careful not to use too many foreign words — you do not want to appear to be showing off or distracting from your story, and you do not want to take up too much space defining terms. If there are many foreign words you would like to use, try to narrow down your list to a few distinct-sounding words that can be easily and clearly defined.

Additionally, be careful when toeing the line between reflective essay and creative writing. While you want to experiment with style and different storylines, you should keep in mind that you are writing to admissions officers and that your goal is to show how you are the best applicant for a college education. Admissions officers read hundreds of essays each day, and do not have time to interpret the meaning of your essay if it is not immediately clear.

When you are finished with your first draft, go back through and look to see that you have made some sort of point in favor of yourself. While it does not have to be stated explicitly, there should at least be an implicit thesis. Striking a balance between storytelling and reflection is critical.

Finally, use metaphors carefully. It is easy to get lost in a metaphor and use it as a crutch for your points. Before you use a metaphor, ask yourself, “Does this make sense?” and, “Will this provide clarity for my reader?” If you are planning to use an extended metaphor throughout the essay, consider, “Has this been done before?” If so, how can you do it better? How can you shine light on a seemingly cliché subject and bring new life to it for the admissions officers. Through your writing choices, show that you are a unique candidate.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do make sure that your essay is ultimately celebrating you. While your culture, community, or family are important parts of the story you’re telling, your essay should be designed to place your personality, experiences, and accomplishments in the context of that environment. It might help to go through with two different colored highlighters and highlight times you talked about yourself versus times you talked about others.

Make sure the essay focuses on you, as you are the actual applicant they are considering. Do not sell yourself short just because there is no official stamp or certificate to accompany your accomplishments in your transition to adulthood. Remember that traditional definitions of experience are not the only thing colleges are looking for. For example, while you might not be classically trained in music, you may play some piano and write songs with your friends, or you may be in charge of leading songs around the campfire at summer camp.

Well-written essays on such topics can be just as effective as the story of the classically trained pianist. Do relax: you don’t have to answer every question posed in this post. These questions are designed to help get you thinking about the message you want to send and how you are going to approach the prompt, but do not stress if you cannot answer them all in your essay. In fact, you probably cannot.

Instead, focus on including only what is most important. And, finally, do edit your essays. Editing is an essential part of the writing process and college essays can be tricky because they are unlike most of the writing typically taught in high school. For more help with mastering the style of the college essay, be sure to look into CollegeVine essay editing services , which offer the thorough and informative feedback needed to craft words into strong writing.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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The 3 Stage Journey from Childhood to Adulthood

The healthy family connections podcast:, episode 046 · duration: 00:24:50.

In order to best support our adolescents to successfully reach adulthood, we need to realize that:

• Adolescence is not one thing.
• Parenting adolescents is not one thing.
• Parenting doesn’t end when kids graduate high school.

Think of it as a journey from childhood to adulthood and think of the journey as having three distinct stages, early adolescence , late adolescence and young adulthood . If we and our kids negotiate each of these stages well together, we’ll set things up best for the next leg of the journey.

Let’s talk about these different stages:

Each stage has its own developmental tasks and our kids will do best if we understand these stages and parent in a way that supports these developmental tasks.

So for starters, let’s think of the journey beginning with early adolescence and ending at adulthood, as just that; a journey . It’s an adventure for them and for us and like a lot of adventures, there will be ups and downs, times that are arduous, and times that are smooth sailing. Sometimes there will be obstacles that we won’t know how to manage but that’s part of the deal. Raising kids is a learning experience for parents and kids alike, so it’s best to resolve that problems are a given, and they offer the opportunity for learning and growing to all of us. It’s best to resolve that problems are a given, and they offer the opportunity for learning and growing to all of us. Click To Tweet

If you get stuck along the way, get some help.

Today I want to focus on the social emotional learning going on during each of these stages and key parenting objectives, but it’s critical to remember that our teens and young adults are growing physically and neurologically throughout this journey.

Neurological maturation is generally complete between the ages of 22 to 25 with females maturing sooner than males. It’s during this time that the brain goes from being a child’s brain to an adult brain and the transition is quite profound. So while our youth are growing their capacity for abstract thinking and advanced reasoning , they are also neurologically inclined towards impulsivity and risk taking . And once again, growing their advanced reasoning skills is a journey, so we can’t expect to have a highly reasoned conversation with our teens and even our young adults every time.

Early Adolescence

In early adolescence starting in middle school and going to 14 or so, young teens are forming their own social groups for the first time. Prior, children were friends with the kids in their class, their neighborhood, their siblings and extended family, and other adult organized groups such as church or sports leagues. Now kids are choosing certain friends and differentiating themselves from kids with different interests and different friends. There is a lot of focus on who is in and who is out of different social groups. These young teens are very much still children in their appearance and behavior. Some will enter puberty earlier than others so there will be a wide range of looks in this group. As these young teens move from 13 to 14 and 15, they may grieve the simpler life of enjoying the toys, stuffed animals and routines of their childhoods. It’s a time of moving away from parents and wanting and needing to spend more time with and identify with their peers.

• They are going to want to do things more independently and often want less help and less parental structure .
• They are going to want the things their friends have and will want to dress and look like the style their friends have.
• The idea is that they are becoming more peer-identified means less family identified .
• They can be resistant to doing family activities and want to do peer activities.
• And they can get pretty surly .

It’s important at this stage for kids to have an area or two of interest and competence ; any sport or physical activity, art, music, dance, academics are all good. That way they have an initial identity to enter their teen years with and that can be important to having friends and self-esteem.

This is a time when it becomes harder for parents to know how their teenager is doing in school. It’s now up to the young teen to keep track of their school responsibilities. Some kids can manage their work easily and others, who are challenged organizationally or with Learning Differences, or tend to procrastinate, will still need support and parents and young teens often struggle with the reality of kids still needing parental support and structure.

Parenting Focus:

• Stay connected and involved .
• Be sure there are clear limits on Internet devices.
• This is an age where bullying is most common so be sure to talk with your young teenager about these issues and be sure they know the protocols and let you know if they’re feeling bullied.
• Include friends in family activities.
• Support supervised independent activities; activities supervised by other parents and reliable organizations such as extended family, church, school, scouts, athletic league.
• Support unsupervised independent activity; short duration, specific location and activity, review clear expectations.
• Discuss the change from completely supervised to unsupervised and introduce concepts of responsibility and trust in your young teen's ability to self manage behavior.
• Use a tone of collaboration and inclusion in setting up schedules and routines.

Late Adolescence

16, 17, 18-year-olds, essentially high school juniors and seniors are in this category. These older teens should be able to manage their responsibilities pretty independently . They should have some stable friendships and friendship groups as well as interests that they share with peers. This group should pretty much know the rules and be able to follow them. At this point, their focus should be on their post-high school future . Whereas young teens are more motivated by their movement away from family towards the teen world, older teens should be motivated by their vision of the future . Even youth with learning disabilities, ADHD, and shy and sensitive kids can be functioning pretty independently at this point. They should know how to utilize the resources at their disposal fairly independently.

Where kids haven’t mastered their early adolescence, as in, learned to manage responsibilities and to be accountable to parents, older adolescents can in fact have significant issues. When there have been Control Battles that have lingered from early adolescence, this group will indeed struggle.

• Enjoying your older adolescent’s competence .
• Get ready to have them beat you at the sport you taught them. This was the age my kids left me behind musically, beat me in tennis, out ran me; you get the point.
• Ask interested but not probing questions about their lives, friendships, what they’re learning. Discuss it with them.
• Have key points of inclusion in family life; Regularly cooking a meal together, cleaning the house together, family outings to music, theater, athletic activity, cycling, boating, fishing, hunting.
• Activities such as working on the car and home maintenance are great. If they have a job, which is a good thing, discuss and even require a financial plan that includes saving for desired expensive items such as a musical instrument, bike, a trip they want to take after high school graduation; even for college or a car. If they aren’t going to go to college, saving can go to future independent living costs.
• Build relationships with your kid’s friends as well. Enjoy challenging conversations about topics of interest, media, books, politics, world events, life. It’s good for them and for us. They make us explain what we believe and they’ll often find the holes in our logic if we aren’t careful. When they do, don’t defend, validate their thinking and be willing to admit they have a good point.
• The key during this stage of development is to support your high school Jr. or Sr. with focusing on and preparing for what’s next.
• For those who are college bound, there is a lot to consider from areas of interest, location, school size, cost, and readiness to move away or stay at home. They can’t possibly weigh all these options and will need your input and support .
• The college application process is complicated and requires planning and attention to detail and most teens are going to need support here.
• For those not wanting to go to college, what is their plan? Do they have a plan beyond getting an entry-level job? What job or career interests do they have and whom might they speak with to get some realistic ideas about how to pursue their goals?
• Keep in mind that the last semester of the senior year is challenging for a lot of families. As kids near the finish line of their high school careers, they get “senioritis” that social-emotional virus that causes seniors to stop doing work, and think they are no longer accountable . They may need to lose a privilege or two to get reeled in and back on track.

In general, late adolescence can be pretty smooth sailing. But don’t get caught asleep at the wheel, they are wired for impulsivity and risk taking , even a responsible teenager can make a very bad decision given the right circumstances.

You might notice I’ve left out 15-year-olds. That’s because they’re hard to pinpoint. I’ve sometimes called it middle adolescence since they are pretty comfortable with being teenagers. Pushing away from family for the sake of pushing away isn’t as much the point anymore, and they can’t really sense the reality of the impending end of high school. It’s pretty much it’s own thing. Some kids do really well and are solid in their identity, their social lives and interests. Others can find some pretty challenging ways to get themselves into trouble and with more independence than they can handle. Parents often make the mistake of thinking that if they should be more independent and responsible , that they’ll back off and expect them to be independently responsible . Only to find out that, Oops! They weren’t ready for that. I’ve worked with many 15-year-olds and their parents who were referred in by their defense attorneys and they’ve had a lot of work to do to unravel a legal mess. So don’t let go too early .

Young Adulthood

Now the final stage of adolescence is what we usually call young adulthood. This group is the post-high school 18 to 24-year-olds. This group is still growing and developing and parents still have a vital role . In fact this group is more like early teens than late teens from a parenting point of view because much like young teens, this group is entering a new phase of life . There is a lot for the young adult to learn about and experience here. They’ve lost their old routines and the expectations and the flow of life is entirely new. It will involve making new friends and far more responsibility and independent decision making. That’s why it’s important for parents to support and teach independence skills during early and late Adolescence.

Young Adults in College vs. Staying Home

If the Young Adult goes off to college, what exactly are the expectations about school performance, managing money, and communication home? How can parents support their Young Adult, particularly in the early stages of being away? They will need support and to know that we understand that it’s a challenging transition. In the age of cell phones and social media, kids often stay connected to their old friends, which makes connecting and making new college friends more challenging than it used to be. Some parents make the mistake of micro-managing their Young Adult with “find my phone” and other technologies. The emphasis should be on support , not control . Parents can talk with their Young Adult about how they’re feeling, who they’re meeting, what their classes are like, and what social activities are available.

In general, there is a lot of opportunity for alcohol and drug use and abuse and parents should talk openly about this as well as about sexual behavior and sexual risks. It’s really important for kids in this stage to have a strong sense of their own values and  personal boundaries . In high school and at home, they had a fairly consistent culture to rely on. Now away at school, in a new culture, they can be easily influenced to take risks they wouldn’t have previously. And because they still are developing neurologically, they are wired for risk taking.

Many kids in their first year of college experience issues with anxiety and depression and parents can assist with finding resources to help them through it. Parental support can help them through it as well.

For Young Adults staying at home, what are the rules now that they are legal adults and not in high school? Young Adults often assume there will be none and that is an assumption that needs clarification . Parents do need to have some order in their home and often don’t want their Young Adult child coming and going and banging around in the kitchen late into the night. On the other hand, parents need to support their Young Adult’s new level of responsibility and independence.

Here is the challenging part for parents of Young Adult children. They clearly need parental support to take their first steps away from high school and towards their futures. That is for sure. What parents must be sure of, is that their support is in fact supporting them in moving forward . Not, supporting them while they play and socialize or languish , either away from home or while living at home.

What are the productive behaviors kids are demonstrating that will in fact move them forward? And what are the behaviors parents might be concerned are keeping them from moving forward? Are they drinking heavily, socializing recklessly? What if they’re living at home, have a low paying job, paying parents either no rent or minimal rent, and not doing much else? Does this qualify as helping your Young Adult move forward? In most cases not, but in some cases where a youth has a disability of some kind, this might represent progress. But that’s the critical question; are they making progress and are they working out the living at home arrangements so that they contribute to the home, and are respectful and reasonable with their parents?

So don’t be shocked when you discover that you still need to actively parent with this group. There may be fewer limits, but limits still need to be in place.

For those Young Adults who do go away to college, what happens after graduation? It can be tough to figure out next steps for many young college grads and here parents may need to help kids establish goals and plans for moving forward, often while living back at home. But living at home should include goals , plans , and daily implementation of a strategy while being a contributing member of the household. Living at home should include goals, plans, and daily implementation of a strategy. Click To Tweet

My Challenge to You

So, let’s remember, that helping our kids grow from childhood to adulthood goes best when we understand what they’re working on and have a strategy to support it. If we allow ourselves to be caught off guard when our kids make mistakes we’re more inclined to react poorly. Our kids and our relationship with our kids will go best when we anticipate their needs and are proactive in supporting them. There are always surprises, but if we know that life is an adventure, one that we and they are on together, and the tough parts are just part of the journey, we can have faith that smooth will come next. Our kids and our relationship with our kids will go best when we anticipate their needs and are proactive in supporting them. Click To Tweet

Here is my challenge to all of us. If you have a young adolescent, an older adolescent, or a young adult child making mistakes, or if you know or are working with any teens and young adults who are struggling, suspend judgment and help them feel worthwhile and important . Even when we’re setting limits, or taking away privileges, we can let them know that it’s a journey and that we want to support them in making it a successful one.

Thanks for tuning in today everyone! In support of parents looking to find a more empowered parenting approach, an approach that is clear, confident, and yet supportive and validating, come on over to my website neildbrown.com and sign up for my new 6 week online Empowered Parenting Workshop.

While you’re there, sign up for my weekly email where you will receive my weekly blog or podcast. I’d love to have a chance to answer your questions that you can submit there as well.

The holidays are right around the corner. Do you know someone who might benefit from reading my book, Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle ? It’s readily available, inexpensive, and could make a big difference in their life.

And please, take care of yourselves ; you need it, you deserve it, you’re worth it . Bye for now.

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Your Health

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Some Early Childhood Experiences Shape Adult Life, But Which Ones?

Maanvi Singh

Having warm, supportive parents early on correlates with success in adulthood. Agent Illustrateur/Ikon Images hide caption

Having warm, supportive parents early on correlates with success in adulthood.

Most of us don't remember our first two or three years of life — but our earliest experiences may stick with us for years and continue to influence us well into adulthood.

Just how they influence us and how much is a question that researchers are still trying to answer. Two studies look at how parents' behavior in those first years affects life decades later, and how differences in children's temperament play a role.

The first study , published Thursday in Child Development , found that the type of emotional support that a child receives during the first three and a half years has an effect on education, social life and romantic relationships even 20 or 30 years later.

Babies and toddlers raised in supportive and caring home environments tended to do better on standardized tests later on, and they were more likely to attain higher degrees as adults. They were also more likely to get along with their peers and feel satisfied in their romantic relationships.

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Why we aren't the parents we know we could be.

"It seems like, at least in these early years, the parents' role is to communicate with the child and let them know, 'I'm here for you when you're upset, when you need me. And when you don't need me, I'm your cheerleader,' " says Lee Raby , a psychologist and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware who led the study.

Raby used data collected from 243 people who participated in the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk . All the participants were followed from birth until they turned 32. "Researchers went into these kids' home at times. Other times they brought the children and their parents to the university and observed how they interacted with each other," Raby tells Shots.

Of course, parental behavior in the early years is just one of many influences, and it's not necessarily causing the benefits seen in the study. While tallying up the results, the researchers accounted for the participants' socioeconomic status and the environment in which they grew up.

Ultimately, they found that about 10 percent of someone's academic achievement was correlated with the quality of their home life at age three. Later experiences, genetic factors and even chance explain the other 90 percent, Raby says.

And a child's psychological makeup is a factor as well.

Shots - Health News

Anxious parents can learn how to reduce anxiety in their kids.

The second study , also published in Child Development , found that children's early experiences help predict whether or not they end up developing social anxiety disorder as teenagers — but only for those who were especially sensitive and distrustful as babies.

For this study, researchers from the University of Maryland observed how 165 babies interacted with their parents. When separated from their parents, some got upset but quickly recovered when they were reunited. Other babies had a harder time trusting their parents after a brief separation, and they weren't able to calm down after being reunited.

Those extra-sensitive babies were more likely to report feeling anxious socializing and attending parties as teenagers.

So what does this all mean? For one, it means that human development is complicated, according to Jay Belsky , a professor of human development at the University of California, Davis who was not involved in either study.

We know that our early experiences likely affect all of us to a certain extent, Belsky says. And we know that due to variations in psychological makeup, some people are more sensitive to environmental factors than others.

But that doesn't mean people can't recover from bad childhood experiences. "For some, therapy or medication may help," Belsky says. "And it's interesting, because there's now other evidence suggesting that the very kids who succumb under bad conditions are the ones who really flourish under good ones."

• Children's Health
• mental health
• child development

Childhood Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on childhood.

Childhood is the most fun and memorable time in anyone’s life. It’s the first stage of life which we enjoy in whatever way we like. Besides, this is the time that shapes up the future. The parents love and care for their children and the children to the same too. Moreover, it’s the golden period of life in which we can teach children everything.

Memories of Childhood

The memories of childhood ultimately become the life long memory which always brings a smile on our faces. Only the grownups know the real value of childhood because the children do not understand these things.

Moreover, Children’s have no worries, no stress, and they are free from the filth of worldly life. Also, when an individual collects memories of his/her childhood they give a delighted feeling.

Besides, bad memories haunt the person his entire life. Apart from this, as we grow we feel more attachment to our childhood and we want to get back those days but we can’t. That’s why many people say ‘time is neither a friend nor a foe’. Because the time which is gone can’t come back and neither do our childhood. It is a time which many poets and writer praises in their creations.

Importance of Childhood

For children, it has no importance but if you ask an adult it is very important. Moreover, it a time when the moral and social character of the children develop. In this stage of life, we can easily remodel the mindset of someone.

Also, it is very important to understand that the mindset of children can be easily altered in this time. So, we have to keep a close eye on our children.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

What Should You Do in Childhood?

In childhood, one should need to enjoy his/her life without any worry. It is a time in which one should have to take care of his diet, his health, and immunity. Besides, the children should be taught to be neat and clean, to eat, read, sleep, play, and to do exercise regularly and these things should be in the habits of the child.

Moreover, we should try to influence children to start productive habits such as reading, writing that should help them in later life. But the books they read and what they write should be carefully checked by the parents.

Care for Everyone

Children are like buds, they care for everyone equally without any discrimination. Also, they are of helpful nature and help everyone around them.

Moreover, they teach everyone the lesson of humanity that they have forgotten in this hectic lifestyle of this world. Besides, these children are the future of the country and if they do not grow properly then in future how can they help in the growth of the nation .

In conclusion, we can say that childhood is the time that makes our adulthood special. Also, children’s are like pottery vessels whom you can shape in any way you like. Besides, this their innocence and helpful nature gives everyone the message of humanity.

Most importantly, they learn by either making mistakes or seeing their elders.

FAQs about Childhood

Q.1 Why childhood is the best period of life? A.1 It is the best time of life because the memories that we make in our childhood always brings a smile on our face. Also, it is the time when the character of the child is shaped. Besides, it also is the best time to understand life and gain knowledge.

Q.2 What is the most important characteristics of a child? A.2 According to me, the most important characteristics of a child is his innocence and helpful nature.

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Generation Gap: Childhood, Adulthood, Old Age Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The relations between the generations were always complicated. The older people always indicate that it their time the situation was different and people behaved in the different way. At the same period, the younger generation says about the impact of the modern tendencies, changes of the way of life that give an opportunity to claim that the younger generation is more advanced.

However, as it clearly seen though the history, such attitude of the generations to each other was always the same. Therefore, although the technical facilities, cultural and economical changes impact the society, it is possible to claim that there are no significant changes in the relations between the generations, they are neither improving, nor getting worse.

Analyzing the cultural aspect within the conflict between generations, it is necessary to admit that such cultural issues as art, music, fashion have a tendency of the permanent change. Thereby, it is obvious that the different generations which do not have the same tastes and fashion, cannot understand each other’s needs. And especially this aspect is sharp within the relations between teenagers and their parents.

Today, the tradition hierarchy of family is different than two centuries ago. Elder members of family feel themselves as the intruders. From the other side, their children can easily send parents to the social houses. During the past century, the patterns of solidarity in friend and family relations had been changed (Allan 2008).

The transformation of the family and friendship aspects influences the Western communities since 1970s. People got more freedom and, as the result, the gap in the relations between young people and their parents increased (Thompson 1998).

From the other hand, the flexibility in the constructing of personal life and relations within the social groups is also increased. As the diversity in the priorization provided more facilities and made the personal choice more complex, the cultural changes of the past century can be considered as positive.

The relations between adult and old people can be also considered from the mentioned below position (Edmunds & Turner 2002, Huntley 2006). Thus, in the article Building Positive Relationships (2008) is written about the relations between 57-years old woman and her 89-years old mother.

As it understandable from the article, the conflict between the generations still exists, however, due to the physical disability of old mother, both woman try to find a solution and to rebuild their relations.

Being in the difficult situation, old people need more attention. For adult people, “the decline of a parent’s health, death of one parent or financial pressures often mean an aging parent will need increased social and emotional support or services from family – such as help with meals, cleaning, transportation or financial matters” ( Building Positive Relationships 2010).

In this context, it is necessary to admit the position of Klinenberg (2001) who indicates the tendency of increase of a number of old people who are estranged from their previous social circle and who live alone without a strong connection with their children.

Many old people have to live in the social establishments due to unwillingness of their younger relatives to care about them. This tendency demonstrates that the traditional cultural attitude to family, marriage and old parent is changed.

Obviously, the economic conditions influence generations. Wyn (2006) explores the rupture of the educational and employment outcomes as the peculiarity of the current situation of the young generation.

As it was normal order of things, today, such disbalance is widely spread that makes young people face with a number of problems while searching a job as “the transition processes for the majority of young people born after 1970 are different from those of the majority of their parents’ generation” (Wyn 2006, p. 6).

From this point of view, it is possible to notice that the younger generation has a significant reason to claim that the current situation on the labor market is more difficult than it was years ago.

According to the statistics provided by Wyn, “by the year 2000, at the age of 27, 68 per cent of the respondents had achieved permanent jobs, and 76 per cent were in full-time jobs” (Wyn 2006, p. 10). However, from the other hand, the elder generation has much more problems within this aspect. Although old people are more experienced, many employers prefer to accept a young person than the elder one.

Analyzing Mannheim’s essay The Problem of Generation , Pilcher (1994) indicates that “the notion of generation being widespread in everyday language as a way of understanding differences between age groups and as a means of locating individuals and groups within historical times” ( Mannheim’s sociology of generations: an undervalued legacy , p. 481).

Thereby, it is possible to say that the present problem existed during the history and never turned into the tendency of improvement or worsening. Different social models, tendencies, fashion and other issues dictate the rules of the relations between generations. Although a number of researchers indicate the increasing way of generation gap, history demonstrates that such tendencies were presented at all times.

Today, teenagers and young people feel themselves free and independent as the world is controlled by them. The number of old people is growing day by day as the result of the demographic characteristics. The present century requires more fast reaction, creative ideas and flexibility which are typical for younger generation. Wyn claims that today the process for becoming adult is different and emerging.

The typical issues of those changes are “an increasingly flexible labor market, dissolution of occupational boundaries, deregulation of labour, and increases in contrast, part-time employment” (2006, p. 12). At the same period, the cultural aspect also changes. Thus, the attitude of the young people to marriage and family is different while the level of fertility reduces.

Privatization of educational services diminishes the capability of young people to get better education. Changed attitude to the elder relatives led to a big number of the old people abandoned in the social houses. Generation gap is the key moment within the understanding of the relations between generations.

There is possible to say about the sharp conflict which is concerned with different parts of life and particularly with economic and cultural aspects. Young adults and elder people have the different possibilities to find a job, to increase their financial status according to the current tendencies in the society and they have different cultural tastes and traditional values.

However, although the cultural and economical changes impact the society and the generation gap is significant, it is necessary to claim that the relations between the generations are neither improving, nor getting worse. The historical knowledge provides the demonstration that such situation was always actual and topical.

Reference List

Allan, G 2008, ‘Flexibility, Friendship and Family’, Personal Relationships , 15: 1-16.

Building Positive Relationships 2010. Web.

Edmunds, J & Turner, B. S 2002, ‘Introduction: Generations, War and Intellectuals’, Generations, Culture and Society , Open University Press, Buckingham, pp. 1-23.

Huntley, R 2006, ‘From X to Y’, The World According to Y: Inside the New Adult Generation , Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, pp. 1-23.

Klinenberg, E 2001, ‘Dying Alone: The Social Production of Urban Isolation’, Ethnography , 4:2, pp. 501-531. Web.

Pilcher,J (1994), ‘Mannheim’s sociology of generations: an undervalued legacy’, BJC, Vol. 45, Issue 3: pp. 481-495.

Thompson, K 1998, ‘The Classic Moral Panic: Mods and Rockers’, Moral Panics , Routledge, London, pp. 31-56.

Wyn, J 2004, ‘Becoming Adult in the 2000s: New Transitions and New Careers’, Family Matters , 68: pp. 6-12.

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IvyPanda. (2019, May 28). Generation Gap: Childhood, Adulthood, Old Age. https://ivypanda.com/essays/generation-gap-childhood-adulthood-old-age-essay/

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IvyPanda . 2019. "Generation Gap: Childhood, Adulthood, Old Age." May 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/generation-gap-childhood-adulthood-old-age-essay/.

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Similarities Between Childhood and Adulthood

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