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Amy Fits Arnett's Intimacy Theory

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Amy fits Arnett’s markers of instability and self-focused. Amy is a young adult experiencing a period of instability in which she is not ready to settle, and her life is in a state of change. She is changing jobs, and she constantly dates males but with no intention of a sleepover or a second date. According to Erikson Amy continues to define her identity but is having intimacy issues. Intimacy issues that must be solved if she wants to become a healthy adult as discussed by Freud. A healthy adult is one that can love and work. Also, Amy is self-focused, she has no kids, so she is only responsible for herself. Thus, she is not willing to commit to a relationship and become responsible for someone else. Amy is undergoing the challenges of both markers; her behavior is evidence that she is pushing back against meeting the societal rules of settling at the early adulthood stage.
2. What pros AND cons exist with their behavior? …show more content…

As there is no commitment in casual sex, Amy is still only responsible for herself. There are no emotions involved in casual sex thus convenient because there is no emotional attachment.
Cons – Casual sex or one-night stand does not lead to an intimate relationship. Amy is having issues at Erikson’s intimacy versus isolation stage while not being able to establish an intimate relationship. If the sex is unprotected, it may lead to sexually transmitted infections. Another disadvantage is the possibility that Amy is compromising her values.
2. This module has introduced Emerging Adulthood as a newly understood period of human development. Based on what you have learned do you feel like this is a stage that everyone goes through or do you feel like this is a process that only some experience? Explain. Your answer will be graded based on thoughtfulness and

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