TY - JOUR A1 - Hurrelmann, Klaus A1 - Quenzel, Gudrun T1 - Lost in transition: status insecurity and inconsistency as hallmarks of modern adolescence JF - International Journal of Adolescence and Youth N2 - In highly developed countries, the adolescent phase of life is expanding more and more. The consequences are status insecurity and inconsistency. A side effect is that adolescence is no longer clearly separable as demarcated biographical stage from adulthood. In this paper, we argue that the developmental tasks of a typical adolescent and a typical adult can only be partially differentiated, and the exact point in time when adolescents become adults can no longer be clearly identified. We find evidence that adolescence is becoming more ‘adult’ and adulthood is correspondingly becoming more ‘juvenile’. In almost all important social areas of life, the behavioral patterns of adults and of adolescents are coalescing. Living with insecurity in the working life and in social relations, experiencing limitations of personal autonomy, and the continuous need to work on social status inconsistencies today are characteristic features of the life of adolescents and adults. As many adolescents meet these demands skillfully and flexibly, they have in many respects become ‘social models’ for the adult life phase. KW - Developmental tasks KW - Status insecurity KW - Status inconsistency KW - Socialization KW - Life course Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2013.785440 SN - 0267-3843 VL - 20 IS - 3 SP - 261 EP - 270 PB - Taylor and Francis CY - London [u.a.] ER -