According to the lifespan perspective, the growth and development of an individual do not stop in childhood or adolescence. It continues throughout adulthood. Many theories in psychology explain the transition during adulthood. This theory is referred to as the Seasons of life theory, which focuses on the different stages of adulthood.  

Levinson’s theory of development explains the underlying patterns of a person’s life at a particular time, the evolving cognitive growth, and individual’s views about the nature and meaning of life. Levinson divides adult years into four stages.

•  The first era is the era of pre-adulthood. This transition involves choices about adult life. This period includes an evaluation of the considerable preferences of adulthood. Planning and organizing the activities and experiencing adulthood make this period crucial. 
• The second era is early adulthood which focuses on learning the life structure. The individual at this stage develops psychosocially, which involves multiple domains. These domains are related to self, emotional development, marriage and social life, family relationships. During this period, the individual plans about mid and late adulthood experiences. 
• The third stage is middle adulthood, in which the individual reevaluates the previous commitments, searching for a long-term purpose and meaning in life. This leads to the formation of a new life structure, one that considers redefining the various aspects of life, starting from careers to relationships. 
• The fourth stage is late adulthood, in which the individuals experience significant life changes. Their life structure includes the chances of readjusting to the new patterns of life.  

Jeffrey Arnett pointed out the transitional period as emerging adulthood, which is crucial in life span development. The changes reflect the broad scope of individual volition during these years. Emerging adults do not see themselves as adolescents, but many do not see themselves entirely as adults.

The individualistic qualities of oneself consisting of accepting responsibility, making independent decisions, and becoming financially independent are the important characteristics that define emerging adulthood. Exploring life in terms of possibilities and moving towards making enduring life decisions is distinct at this stage.

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development explains the three levels of moral reasoning, i.e., pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, that evolve with age. The post-conventional stage elucidates the phase of adulthood which is characterized by the individual’s understanding of the societal guidelines. They obey as well as evaluate the existing societal norms and laws in terms of their prior considerations. 

They understand that the traditional system exists for the good of the people, but at times they may act on aspects of their current prospects to make society better. At this stage, the legal and moral opinions coincide, creating a dilemmatic or a conflictual situation. People develop their own set of moral guidelines which may or may not fit the law.

The commitment to justice becomes more important than the commitment to the social contract. Martin Luther King, for example, argued that laws are only valid insofar as they are grounded injustice and that a commitment to justice carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws.

As adults, we live through the journey we had as a child or teenager reaping the results of what we sowed in those powerful and productive years of life. The word Adult came from “adultus,” which means “grown to full size and strength or matured.” This brings to light the transition that has unfolded in an individual's life from the time they were born. 

This stage brings the transition of an individual taking up new challenges, opportunities as a member of the society, professional role and responsibilities, role as a parent, spouse, breadwinner, etc. The most indispensable part of this stage is the Progression or Regression as an adult building over the foundational experiences, learning of childhood, teenagers that an adult chooses overtime to define himself and others around them in life. 

As defined by Abraham Maslow, “as one becomes an adult, the quest for self-actualization begins and once again must work to fulfill their most basic physiological, safety and security needs by becoming independent.”

Adulthood has many factors that have changed over time in the past decade, with some trendsetters like the baby boomers born during or post world war - II who rejected and redefined the traditional values prevalent in that period. In the early centuries, adulthood was confined to gaining financial sustenance, becoming independent, getting married and starting a family, fulfilling the responsibilities of a parent as you raised a child, but in the current context, some things have changed. 

In current times single parenthood, staying single, choosing not to have children or adoption, late marriage, or second marriage has become a common scenario. Rather many people start a new career, skill, etc., in the latter period of adulthood. As overtime, the concept of family, sex, sexuality, parenthood, marriage are changing, so the attributes, roles, characteristics, and expectation from an individual who has altered into the adulthood stage. 

One of the major transitions observed in the current scenario is the increased possibilities an individual can explore as they go through the stage of adulthood, impacting the role they play in society. As Carl Jung said, “Life really does begin at forty. Up till then, you are just doing research” explains the importance, dynamics of this stage of life.

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