Odyssey years

Task: The Odyssey years This article begins by offering the core disparity of different ages. This is vital for offering the fundamental sociological orientation of two generations. In the fading generation, there used to be four defined phases of life. This entailed childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. However, a new age has now chipped in between adulthood and old age. This is referred to as an active retirement age. More essentially, a confusing age has occurred between adolescence and old age. It is named as the odyssey age.
The article prescribes a general word for this age. It describes the same as a wandering age (Brooks 2012). This is because it possesses a blur definition. It is a generation of mixed ideals. This exists in the articulation of trying to establish an identity out of a fading generation. This generation faces different contexts of evaluating their own direction.
The writer accords notable instances out of the same. To begin with, the writer provides the example of careers. The odyssey age entails individuals that try various careers. This is because they are varied ways of self expression. A relevant example relates to the case of IT that has opened up many forms of careers. IT has also split traditional careers into technology oriented forms thereby suiting into the information vast age. Besides, the offices have transformed to include informal forms such as home offices.
In their schooling, the members of the odyssey age go to school and take breaks from the same. This differs from the notion of having specific period of schooling. A member of this age can spend five years before deciding on a master’s degree.
A more intriguing element relates to their social relationships. Such individuals are frantic in the sense that they can live with their respective families and friends at the same time. The consistent worry of parents has existed in the view that the odyssey age tends to be hesitant in starting up their families. This is because they believe in the traditional transformation from student life to adult responsibilities. This transition consumes unimaginable periods of five to seven years. This is coupled with the idea that these parents do not perceive a clear sense of articulation in their offspring’s life.
It is vital to highlight that these arguments are propped by a profound sociological explanation. This is eminent in their delay of marriage, having children and attaining reasonable employment. In the previous age, individuals defined adulthood by common milestones. This entailed marriage, children and becoming financially sufficient. In the progression of decades, the numbers of individuals, who have their marriages by the age, of thirty years, are decreasing.
These factors emanate from certain predispositions. Children grow in narrowly defined structures of childhood. In their adult life, a different scenario combats them. The new scenario is explained by uncertainty and diversity. It is noticeable that there are new platforms of reading such as blogs and online magazines. Dating is helped through platforms such as Facebook networking site. .
It is discernible that the article has relied on strong sociological explanations for the advent of a new age. The general word for the odyssey age, which the article provides, is wandering. This is because there are no defined ideals of life. This creates a diversity and uncertainty that confuses this new age. Besides, the article provides articulate examples of social networking sites and blogs as new definitions of life.
Works cited
Brooks, Dennis. “ The Odyssey Years.” The New York Times. October 9, 2007. Web. October 9, 2012.