Module 5C: Transitional Markers

     Transitional markers, as presented in Hutchinson (2011), highlight the life-events that indicate the achievement of adulthood. These transitional markers vary in sequence and timing based on the psychological readiness of the individual. (p.274) In my own experience, the transitional markers of financial independence and renegotiating one’s own relationship with parents are two of the best indicators of adulthood. Establishing financial independence came as a result of gainful employment and careful savings. I no longer had to rely on my parents to provide for me. Financial independence paved the way for me to make adult decisions about living, travelling, automobiles, and daily living. I was in charge of my financial situation and with that came responsibility. Unless absolutely necessary, to rely on family to financial help hinders one from becoming an autonomous and independent person.  

      To renegotiate one’s relationship with their parents is an important step. In my own life, I found a sense of freedom when I was able to view my parents as people, rather than my parents. I came out of the ego-centrism that ruled my adolescence and I was able to “cut the umbilical cord” and reassess the roles that my parents play in my life, and with this I found freedom and independence.

 However, I am not sure that any one, or even an achievement of all of these transitional markers would truly indicate a full transition from adolescence to adulthood. For example, becoming a parent is one of the transitional markers for adulthood. My sister made a decision that she does not want children, and arguably this is a very adult decision that she made with her husband. Each of the transitional markers could be dismissed based on cultural norms, financial stability of the family, family illness, etc. It would be best to examine each person on the micro, mezzo, and macro systems levels to gain the deepest understanding about what their transitional markers would have been in their lives. 

The case study of Johnny Nunez, at the micro systems level he has not achieved all of the transitional markers outlined in Hutchinson. (2011) Johnny has not left home, but he has arguably achieved all of the other markers such as becoming a parent, committing to a relationship, and gained independence in decision making. At the mezzo systems level, Johnny and his girlfriend had to discuss and come to the agreement, for example, that Johnny would stay home with the children rather than sending them to daycare. This would save the family money, as his girlfriend works full time. On the macro systems level, they made the decision because due to the poor economic times, Johnny was out of work. Although Johnny still lives with his father, their relationship had to be renegotiated as his father is no longer in the caretaker role. Johnny Nunez, although still young and 20, is obviously dealing with very adult responsibilities and has achieved several of the transitional markers to young adulthood.

In the case of 25-year-old Sheila Henderson, her tours abroad for the military have kept her away from her boyfriend and daughter for extended periods of time. Although she has a 5-year-old daughter, her motherly responsibilities have been thwarted by her time away and with that, her boyfriend has been the sole provider of discipline to the child. It will take renegotiating on both of their parts in order to establish a “new normal” for family routines as Sheila assimilates back into civilian society. It is important to view Sheila’s transitional markers in a different way. She pursued a vocation to the military and has given much of her life in the past few years to this vocation. Tours abroad, especially during wartime, force one into adulthood with a totally new and different set of transitional markers. 

In the case of Carla Aquino, on paper it seems as though she has seamlessly achieved the transition to adulthood. Carla is involved in her community, living with her husband and has a job that she is dedicated to. Like many professional women, Carla is faced with fears about how she will transition from working professional woman, to working professional woman and mother. Although she has the support of many family members, I can understand how she would feel anxious about taking on another important role, as she is already dedicated to so many, but from what I understand, nothing can truly prepare you for motherhood and it is something that you learn as you go. Carla and her husband have not only the support of many family members in the area, but also of an extended network and community of people in their area including their faith-based organization. Supports offer great help when transitioning roles in our lives.  

Reference:

Hutchison, E.D. (2011). Dimensions of human behavior: the changing life course. (4^th ed.). California: The Sage Publications.