Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
11:29
Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Construction of adulthood and disability
1Department of Child & Family Studies, Division of Applied Research and Educational Support at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 N. Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-3807, USA.
Mental Retardation
|July 13, 2001
Summary
This article discusses adulthood for individuals with severe cognitive impairments, highlighting cultural disparities and traditional markers of adult status. It aims to promote societal inclusion and full membership for adults with significant disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Disability Studies
- Cultural Anthropology
Background:
- Adulthood is culturally defined by specific roles, rites, and rituals.
- Individuals with severe cognitive impairments often face challenges in attaining recognized adult status.
- Societal perceptions create a disparity between legal adulthood and perceived personhood for those with cognitive disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the cultural meaning of adulthood in relation to severe cognitive impairments.
- To analyze traditional markers of adulthood and their applicability to individuals with significant disabilities.
- To advocate for the full societal inclusion of adults with severe cognitive impairments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on cultural definitions of adulthood.
- Analysis of traditional rites and rituals of adulthood.
- Personal reflection and case example of supporting an individual with cognitive impairment.
Main Results:
- Cultural definitions of adulthood often exclude individuals with severe cognitive impairments.
- Traditional markers of adulthood (e.g., voting, marriage, independent living) are not universally accessible.
- There is a significant gap between the legal status of adulthood and social recognition for this population.
Conclusions:
- Societal norms and structures must adapt to recognize the adulthood of individuals with severe cognitive impairments.
- Efforts are needed to facilitate access to traditional markers of adulthood for this group.
- Promoting full societal membership requires challenging existing disparities and fostering inclusive practices.
Related Concept Videos
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
01:25Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the role of thinking in a child's learning process, suggesting that children are naturally curious about their environment. His approach to development is discontinuous, proposing that cognitive abilities progress through distinct stages, each with unique characteristics. Central to Piaget's theory is schemata—mental structures that allow individuals to understand and interpret the world.
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.
01:27Emerging Adulthood
Jeffrey Arnett's concept of emerging adulthood offers a framework to understand the unique developmental stage between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, generally from ages 18 to 25. This period is marked by extensive exploration and shifts in identity, relationships, and career choices, a process known in psychology as role experimentation. Emerging adulthood reflects the evolving cultural expectations surrounding adulthood and the dynamic process of personal transformation during this...
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...