Certain stages in the life course have expanded, whereas others have contracted. Which of the following best characterizes this trend?
A) Childhood is expanding in time as we increasingly become more child centered.
B) Adolescence and young adulthood are expanding as young people extend their education and postpone their movement into mature adulthood.
C) Midlife adulthood is shrinking as the number of premature deaths cuts this stage short.
D) Later life is shrinking as more people remain active for a longer period.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The expansion of adolescence and young adulthood is supported by the trend of young people extending their education and delaying their entry into mature adulthood, which was traditionally marked by milestones like marriage and parenthood. Meanwhile, midlife adulthood is not necessarily shrinking due to premature deaths, and there is no clear evidence that childhood or later life are expanding or contracting as a whole.

Certain Stages in the Life Course Have Expanded, Whereas Others