Are you aware that close to 80% of the activities that affect you and the people who inspire you happen during your twenties? This is one of the statistics that Meg Jay highlights in her book ‘The Defining Decade; Why Your Twenties Matter.' Jay is a clinical psychologist who is a professional in the adult development. She argues based on the scientific study of her experience as a psychologist to fight against the long cultural belief that "our twenties are the new thirties." Based on this point, the author mentions that the current twenties are now regarded as the "disposable years coated with disposable salaries," a possible time destined for roving around, falling in love and having casual fun.
In the book's introduction, of The Defining Decade, Meg Jay, a psychologist, presents us with the fallacies originating from the twenty something's as well as the general society. "Thirty is the new twenties" the notion behind Meg's original Kate, a girl of 26 years old who gets lost in her everyday drama to avoid facing reality (Jay 9). In the process of helping Kate recover from her fears and the fusions of what the life in her twenties should look like, Dr. Jay provides her advice as to how an ordinary supposition came to be for this present generation and the possible steps towards restoring one's life. Also, this chapter ends while highlighting significant features of the twenties' lives and stressing that the vital changing stages are happening throughout this period. It asserts that the twenties are not anything to be gotten rid of but, overcome to prevent the possible harsh consequences in the future.
In the chapter Identity Capital, Dr. Meg Jay stresses the significance of the capital identity to assist an individual to prosper in life. "You can't think your way through life. You have to do something about it." This is the basis of discussion behind the psychologist's advice to her patient, Helen. Helen is a client who is 27 years of age who thinks that moving from one job to the next will finally land her in the next possible desired life (Jay 18). Based on Helen's reasoning, her primary challenge is that of an identity crisis. Dr. Meg contests her actions through the introduction of the presence of Erick Erickson, a psychotherapist as an honest example of the plight of identity (20). The author contends that for you to establish your character, you must completely invest in you, which will results in a more different personality with the stamina and respect for yourself. In summary, in this chapter indicates that as an individual you must come up with a decision to invest in yourself and have control of your own life instead of reversing what you want to become when you clock thirty.
Personal Opinion about the Book
After entirely going through the sectors of The Defining Decade, I feel that I support several arguments of the Psychologist, Meg Jay altogether. I am an example a victim of the possible effect of getting things done by thirty when I would have the direction of my life and career defined. The argument by Noam Chomsky quote in the introduction part is discussing the crucial years in a person's life, which is a good representation of the real impact (Jay 3). As thirty years approach, many individuals are still held on the idea of making decisions. The Defining Decade is a book that gives a clear understanding of teenage lives especially those who fall in this age bracket. Meg Jay provides the possible warning to us not to squander our adolescent years. Through her experience as a psychologist, Dr. Meg shares about the twenty-something individual's struggles with many issues during the teenage life. Many people graduate from college with the aim of getting jobs. However, due to the possible economic recession, they are unable to secure employment hence find themselves in depression state or the possible habits such as drinking alcohol. From the book, the author is clear on the possible twenty something's choices and the possible connections alike. The selection of love has got the consequences as most individuals are busy trying to make decisions that last. The mention of the possible creation of ties that widely spread is helpful advice that could help everybody in their twenty-something to build a substantial connection that could help secure jobs and employment.
Dr. Meg's opinion on the effects of our choices in the twenty-something later influencing our lives is accurate. Some of the victims who might be experiencing divorce or excessive alcohol addiction could have acquired the habits during the twenty-something age when they involve themselves in the unnecessary fun and love due to lack of proper goals in life. Therefore, Jay offers candid advice on the teenagers. The inability to build up the investment and not to secure employment is causing depression and sitting around at home, drinking alcohol. The author's advice to the teenagers is to take up those jobs with the career capitals where they'll be able to acquire more connections as they learn and grow. This doesn't generally mean they'll make so much money as Jay continues to focus on how significant weak associations are for the job market. She mentions that not so strong relations prove to be somewhat active sources of employment. Therefore full relationships of the weak ties present you the most substantial way and utmost viewpoint as an alternative for the few close networks.
Jay indicates how the job market has changed for those who are fresh from college. In her words, she mentions the crisis caused by the great recession in the economy and is still affecting the twenties making them feel inexperienced although a small percentage can get employment. Most of her patients indicate the feeling misplaced and unable to commit themselves on anything due to the availability of several replacements. The author suggests that many people in their twenties are not being productive or helpful to their colleagues who are lagging at home or doing the dead-end jobs. The college and GPA degrees are not of importance as everyone has them. In my opinion, Jay's argument is right based on the example of some of my friends from college who have not yet secured a job and through the experience, some are just hovering at home and possibly enjoying.
After critically analyzing the book I would say that some of my possible life effects such as frustrations arise from the reasonable predictions of a better future through falling for the underpaid jobs. The depression or the hope for a better future that is evident in the twenties especially in the current generation is due to lack of proper self-branding and self-investment. There is a possibility to support a financial analyst working as a cleaner in the city and hoping to become the managers at the point when they are thirty. Meg argues that self-identity is essential when it comes to future employment. Jay also points out the possibility of anxiety and depression that will accompany if the set objectives are not met like in the case of Helen. Therefore the book is relevant material for the twenties.
However, I would also address some of the possible concerns that I find contradictory. Jay's book is possibly based on the idea that the current twenty-something is living on the basis that they have to blame themselves for any adverse outcome of their late life. It also brings the idea that the people currently in their forties are a result of the decision they took twenty years ago. Jay also presents that the marriages formed out of living together has a high chance of not succeeding in the future, and they are possible to be blamed. Some twenty-something individuals are aware of the eventual outcome. Various studies have also indicated that women's earnings are increasing as they have families and children. It is also the possible golden age, where most of the twenty-something have to have fun and interact before they fully begin families.
Based on the idea of self -identity, some individuals are at the top management of firms, but they started from low ranks. This contrast the possible argument of Dr. Jay that one should avoid the potential access to low paying jobs. Various companies in the modern world are employing based on the experience, and the more experience comes from future work. There are also the sections of this generation who are focused and are investing in their lives thus not all are unfocused as Jay states. In summary, the book is well outlined, and the psychologist's use of this example provides the possible relation to the present scenario of my situation as well as other twenty-something groups.
Work cited
Jay, Meg. The defining decade: why your twenties matter--and how to make the most of them now. Twelve, 2012.
