What is the role of Social and Cultural Factors of the transition to adulthood and how these factors are influenced? An examination of Greek Higher Education students

• Published in: IFAC-PapersOnLine 2019-01, Vol.52 (25), p.293-298
• Main Authors: Tsipianitis, Dimitris, Mandellos, Georgios, Groumpos, Petros
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: distance learning; education; eLearning; good practice; innovation; networks; sustainable development
• ISSN: 2405-8963; 2405-8963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2019.12.538

Through of a series of publications Arnett describes the period of the post teen to mid second twenties in the life of a person as emerging adult period. It is a period of development distinguished by unique features that include feeling in-between, identity exploration, a focus on the self, instability, and possibilities. This article argues that cultural beliefs and norms about socialization and social relationships are likely to affect the meaning and developmental patterns of emerging adulthood. More traditional, nonwestern cultures may have a shortened period of emerging adulthood, or no emerging adulthood at all, because these cultures tend to place greater emphasis on practices that lead to an earlier transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine emerging adulthood in the Greek culture, including 1) the types of criteria Greek students deem necessary for becoming an adult, 2) the types of behaviours are engaging in, 3) identity-related issues, and 4) other aspects of Greek culture. The research approach is utilizing a target group of 205 Greek students of the University of Patras from Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept.