“Emerging Adulthood” by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett describes a period between adolescence and full adulthood (roughly ages 18-29) characterized by five key features: identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling “in-between,” and a sense of possibilities. The theory suggests that in many cultures, especially industrialized ones, it is no longer a short transition but a distinct stage marked by exploration in love and work before settling into adult roles like marriage and parenthood.