No two people develop at the same rate; however, people of the same age do have general identifying characteristics. These age characteristics can be sorted into periods of development. The basic stages of human development are: prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. These stages of development are the result of normal physical growth and societal expectations. The passage from the adolescent period to the adult period is thought to be one of the most difficult periods to negotiate.
Psychologist Erik Erikson pointed out that while the adolescent is engaged in the task of developing a personal identity, the young adult is more likely to be engaged in the task of developing intimacy. All agree that developmental stages are closely linked with actual physical development. The question is, what if societal requirements become drastically out of sync with actual physical/emotional development? Many experts agree that this is the case for the adolescent.
Marriage has always been the primary safe-haven for the expression and growth of intimacy. Marriage protects intimacy with commitment and a special privacy that can be counted on. It offers a chance to give one's self to another with a high degree of safety and security. In marriage, intimacy gains the promise of continuity and longevity; in such an environment intimacy can grow to its full meaning and potential.
Are there solutions? Certainly! While marriage might be delayed for a reasonable time, it is not outrageous to think that young adults might, with some parental help, get married before they finish college. Certainly a deal can be struck! Two of our children waited until their senior year of college to marry. In this way, if they did get pregnant in the first year of marriage, they would still be able to get their degree!
This solution has been adopted by many Christian parents and children. Never stop looking for good options to solve real people problems! At any rate, have a little mercy on the young folk –they’re just people. Most of them are doing the best they can with the new deal society has handed them.