Institute of Sociology NASU

Conceptual dimensions of adulthood in contemporary sociological theorizing

stmm. 2025 (3): 31-53

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2025.03.031

Full text: https://stmm.in.ua/archive/ukr/2025-3/4.pdf

SVITLANA SHEVCHENKO, Candidate of Sciences in Sociology, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Social Physiology, Institute of Sociology, NAS of Ukraine (12, Shovkovychna St., Kyiv, 01021)

svetls@ukr.net

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6369-9096

The purpose of the article is to analyze the conceptual developments of Western sociology in the field of adulthood and draw conclusions about their heuristic possibilities and limitations for modern society.

In sociology, age categories (or stages of the life cycle) are considered as social constructions that change under the influence of social processes. These categories, such as childhood, youth or adulthood, are dynamic and unstable, and their social construction occurs continuously, especially accelerated in the conditions of late modernity. The change in social expectations regarding adulthood reflects the variability of social norms and institutional conditions, and traditional markers of adulthood cease to be relevant.

Despite long-standing appeals for the need for a theoretical understanding of adulthood and the transition to adulthood, its conceptualization remains insufficient. The article analyzes modern approaches to the sociological understanding of adulthood, in particular, concepts that explain its change in the conditions of late modernity.

Special attention is paid to the concept of "emergent adulthood" by J. Arnett, which considers the period of early youth as an independent stage of the life path. The concept of "arrested adulthood" by J. Côté and his idea of two types of individualization, and the possibility of applying his humanistic approach to understanding adulthood is analyzed. The article analyzes the works of J. Twenge, who connects the slowdown in the maturation of modern generations with the influence of digital technologies and changes in upbringing, and also analyzes the relationship between social indicators and indicators of mental state. The sociological approach of H. Blatterer is considered, which interprets adulthood through the prism of social recognition and changes in the structures of society, emphasizing the flexibility of modern social roles and the instability of adult identity. In conclusion, it is noted that adulthood is no longer a clearly defined stage of life, and its conceptual boundaries remain mobile.

The conclusion is made about the need for further research that considers the historical context of ideas about adulthood, institutional transformations and economic realities that affect the possibilities of acquiring adult status.

Keywords: adulthood, emerging adulthood, arrested adulthood, individualization, social construction, social structure

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Received 29.03.2025