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Human development theory suggests the existence of a series of important transitional periods in the life cycle. A transitional period is defined as a "boundary zone between two more or less defined or structured periods of life" [Egan and Cowan 1980]. Consensus exists that the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood constitutes a critical period. Using chronological age as an indicator, the age span from 17 to 22 demarcates the transitional period that immediately precedes early adulthood.
Transition to Early Adulthood
Transitional periods are characterized by uncertainties that individuals face in learning to respond to a series of new and unfamiliar developmental challenges. Leaving adolescence and moving into early adulthood readily qualifies as a critical transition. Relationships with parents, family, peers, schools, church, and community institutions are being redefined, modified, or terminated. Matters associated with independent living, such as career directions, personal relationships, responsibility for decision-making, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for adult living must be confronted. At some point, all young people in out-of-home care must leave the jurisdiction of the child welfare/placement system and enter the world of community/adult living. The overriding question is, to what extent are foster wards prepared for self-sufficiency, independence, and effective community living? As yet, the independent-living movement is too new for definitive answers. Moreover, the child welfare field faces the task of fitting independent living into a permanency planning framework. The system focus on family preservation services, family reunification, and family building through adoption makes it difficult for independent living to receive attention. At the present time, the child welfare field is uncertain about how to best prepare the many thousands of foster wards who each year age out of placement.
The child-placing system faces a dilemma in attempting to prepare adolescent wards for independent living. To assist young persons to make the transition to early adulthood, it is important to encourage behavior associated with self-direction, self-expression, personal initiative, and taking responsibility for one's decisions. For many reasons, including the adolescent's personal history and problems, and flaws within the placement system, many adolescents are shuttled from placement to placement, suffer frequent school changes, and lose continuity in the process of growing up [Timberlake and Verdieck 1987]. The transition from adolescence to early adulthood...