Family Relationships during a Child’s Transition into Adulthood

Annotated Bibliography

Thesis

The rationale of this study is to analyze the aspects of the child’s transition into adulthood, establish the factors inhibiting its success, and the importance of nurturing effective family relationships for adolescents’ health and social wellbeing. 

Conger, K. J., & Little, W. M. (2010). Sibling relationships during the transition to adulthood.

Child Development Perspectives, 4(2), 87-94.

Transition to adulthood is an intricate concept that takes place in young people’s lives, exposing them to massive changes. For that reason, this stage becomes confusing and suffocating for the youth for several reasons. Some of these factors include forming new relationships, advancing their studies, negotiating through corporate ladders, and acquiring new responsibilities or roles. As a result, the close relationship between them and their siblings slowly diminishes as other needy processes occupy the time spent with their sisters and brothers. Other factors also affect the siblings’ relationship, including the advanced social-economic wellbeing, equality, maturity, decreased interaction time, cultural reasons, age difference, birth order, gender, family characteristics, and ethnicity.

Hardie, J. H., & Seltzer, J. A. (2016). Parent-Child relationships at the transition to adulthood: A

comparison of black, Hispanic, and white immigrant and native-born youth. Social Forces, sow033. 1-61

The core theme of this journal is to illustrate how a relationship between parents and children from the minority groups in America adversely affects the smooth transition of young adults from childhood to adulthood. Though these authors acknowledge that parents are key players in ushering their children into becoming responsible adults, they maintain that inadequate financial support strains the relationship between them as it decreases their chances of eliminating inequality. Notably, financial assistance nurtures social relationships, while parental advice is crucial as it guides them on how to easily navigate college life, apply for jobs, negotiate accordingly, and have stable relationships. However, certain factors inhibit parents from minority groups from supporting the needs of their children where they include their children’s needs, social roles, parental characteristics, gender, resource inadequacy, cultural values, immigrant status, and their ethnic identities.

Whiteman, S. D., McHale, S. M., & Crouter, A. C. (2011). Family relationships from to early adulthood: Changes in the family system following firstborns’ leaving home. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(2), 461-474.

The theme of this study is to analyze siblings and parent-child relationship from the adolescent stage to early adulthood and how this connectivity is affected after the first born child decides to settle away from the parents. In this case, the authors acknowledge that early adulthood is an overwhelming situation for young people as they experience dramatic changes. However, in the presence of respect and dependency, this relationship continues to grow despite instability in the financial and social levels. According to the study, transitioning into adulthood away from home nurtures the relationship between parents and children due to decreased conflicts. On the other hand, the process increases intimacy between siblings, while decreases negativity amongst each other. However, the frequency of interaction is adversely affected due to the age difference and birth order.

Scabini, E. (2000). Parent-child relationships in Italian families: Connectedness and autonomy in

the transition to adulthood. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 16(1), 23-30.

The author of this journal uses an Italian approach to show that parent-child relationships always change during the transition from childhood to adulthood. According to the author, a good rapport is determined by two factors: the ability to reach an agreeable consensus and the connectedness that has existed since adolescence to late adulthood on the gender basis. In fact, that is why families are expected to support young adults through verbal counseling and lender financial help whenever required. However, freedom is necessary for the youths as it helps them negotiate their lives without feeling that their decisions or opinions are always causing an uproar in family discussions. As a result of this distance, young adults can communicate freely with their parents leading to increased relation levels between parents and young adults.

Moretti, M. M., & Peled, M. (2004). Adolescent-parent attachment: Bonds that support healthy

development. Pediatric Child Health, 9(8): 551-555.

In this article, the authors maintain that despite the massive changes that accompany adulthood, transitioning the parent-child relationship remains a crucial aspect in the development of young adults. Essentially, a healthy relationship eliminates the chances of engagement into risky behavior, enhances coping strategies in young adults, reduces the occurrence of mental illnesses, and nurtures a teen’s social skills. Moreover, a good relationship assures a young adult the security in their parent’s openly warm environment. Therefore, due to a healthy relationship, young adults maintain constant communication while they ensure to find time for their parents as they continue to explore their newly envisioned social roles with romantic partners and peers.

Aufseeser, D., Jekielek, S., & Brown, B. (2006). The family environment and adolescent

wellbeing: Exposure to positive and negative family influences. Child Trends. 1-12.

The article clarifies that transitioning into adulthood leads a child away from the parent, but the family institution remains a significant position which mentors and guides teenagers into becoming responsible young adults. According to the authors, a good relationship comes from proper parenting skills, which develop responsible citizens. For that reason, open discussions are encouraged as they support the young adults as they continue to satisfy their physical and emotional wellbeing. Moreover, monitoring the adolescent’s whereabouts reduces the chances of relapsing into depression and engaging in risky behavior. Consequently, family time is crucial in tabling discussions and paving the way for open discussions. However, parents should understand that their health behavior affects their children and eventually lead them to indulge in substance abuse.

Jesuit Social Services. (2009). Understanding families: Role of family in adolescent

development. Strong Bonds Fact Sheet, 1-3.

From this fact sheet, it is clear that childhood to adulthood transition remains the most difficult stage in the life of a growing adult. It is here that teenagers develop their identities. Thus family involvement is limited. Hence, when there is an existing positive family relationship between the adolescent and their family, there are hardly any chances of engaging in risky behavior. As such, the situation assures the young adult that they are cared for and loved. However, the transition into adulthood requires parental flexibility due to the rapid changes that need a sense of security, guidance, and role modeling. From the article, the security inadequacy eventually leads to harmful practices that are risky to the health of a young adult. 

 Outline

I Introduction

Analyzing family relationship in adult transition is motivated by the need to understand how this stage is crucial in every individual’s life progression. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate how positive and negative sibling and parent-child relationship affects the transitional process of a young adult into successful adulthood. This study will analyze adult transition as a life course to help identify how healthy family relations eliminate risky behavior, provide security for teenagers, deliver a good communication platform, offer advice, and maintain connectivity between teens and their families.

II Discussion

First, this discussion will explore the concept of adult transition from childhood to adulthood. Then the actors affecting a smooth transition to adulthood in relation to the existing relationship between family members and adolescents will follow. In addition, this discussion will evaluate how minority group teenagers face challenges of a strained relationship with parents due to inadequate support. Besides, this study will determine the factors that either continue or discontinue a child-parent relationship from adolescent all the way to early adulthood. An Italian framework will also be used to determine the free nature of adulthood transition in young people. Lastly, negative and positive influences within home environments will be analyzed to determine the extent to which they nurture positive or negative behavior in young transitioning adults.

III Conclusion

In conclusion, the young adult transition is a crucial process in every individual’s life, especially the youths. Therefore, there is a need to nurture healthy family relationships to eliminate the chances of engaging in risky behavior or acquiring adverse health conditions. More so, this study provides that family is crucial in assuring security, offering financial help, acting as a pillar of hope to the young ones, and counseling adolescents.

 

References

Aufseeser, D., Jekielek, S., & Brown, B. (2006). The family environment and adolescent wellbeing: Exposure to positive and negative family influences. Child Trends. 1-12.

Conger, K. J., & Little, W. M. (2010). Sibling relationships during the transition to adulthood. Child Development Perspectives, 4(2), 87-94.

Hardie, J. H., & Seltzer, J. A. (2016). Parent-Child relationships at the transition to adulthood: A comparison of black, Hispanic, and white immigrant and native-born youth. Social Forces, sow033. 1-61.

Jesuit Social Services. (2009). Understanding families: Role of family in adolescent development. Strong Bonds Fact Sheet,1-3.

Moretti, M. M., & Peled, M. (2004). Adolescent-parent attachment: Bonds that support healthy development. Pediatric Child Health, 9(8): 551-555.

Scabini, E. (2000). Parent-child relationships in Italian families: Connectedness and autonomy in the transition to adulthood. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 16(1), 23-30.

Whiteman, S. D., McHale, S. M., & Crouter, A. C. (2011). Family relationships from to early adulthood: Changes in the family system following firstborns’ leaving home. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(2), 461-474.