2024年4月14日发(作者：mes系统下载)

新视野三版 读写B2 U3 Text A

Journey through the odyssey years

1

Most of us know about the phases of life which we label to parallel

different age groups and life stages: childhood, adolescence,

adulthood, and old age. We think of infancy before childhood and

middle age before old age, with each unique phase bringing its own

peculiar set of challenges. These challenges can be overcome by

acquainting ourselves with them, such as the child's need to learn, the

adult's need to find the right career and build a family, and the senior's

need for support and good health care.

2

Interestingly, ideas about the stages of life are changing.

3

In previous times, people didn't have a solid idea of childhood as being

separate from adulthood. A hundred years ago, no one thought of adolescence.

Until recently it was understood as a norm that their induction to adulthood was

completed as soon as they graduated from college. They would now find a sensible

job which would lead to a career. Then during this career they would start a family,

ideally before they turned 30.

4

Today we have an equivalent need to recognize a new phase of life that comes

after high school graduation, continues through college, and then leads to starting

a family and having a career, the so-called odyssey years. Recent trends show

radical changes as young people are following a different agenda. They take

breaks from school, live with friends and often return to living with their parents.

Similarly, they fall in and out of love, quit one job and try another or even shift to a

new career. So, we need to recognize this new stage, the odyssey years, which many

now consider to be an unavoidable stage in reaching adulthood.

5

People who were born prior to the 60s or 70s in the last century tended to

frame their concept of adulthood based upon achieving certain accomplishments:

moving away from home, becoming financially independent, finding the right

spouse and starting a family. But that emphasis on stability did not remain static.

Today, young people are unlikely to do the same. During the odyssey years, a high

proportion of young people are delaying marriage, child bearing, and even

employment.

6

The odyssey years can saddle young people with enormous pressure to move

forward quickly. As the sole heir and focus of their parents' expectations, hopes and

dreams, some react with rebellious and prideful attitudes and