Section outline

  • A woman lovingly kisses her baby outdoors, symbolizing the responsibilities of early adulthood.

    What does adulthood mean to you?
    ::成年对你意味着什么?

    You might think sometimes that you can't wait to be an adult! In adulthood you have greater freedom, but you also have greater responsibilities. Like this woman, you might have a house and children to take care of.
    ::有时你可能觉得自己等不及成为成年人了!在成年后,你拥有更大的自由,但你也有更大的责任。像这个女人一样,你可能有房子和孩子要照顾。

    Adulthood
    ::成年成人

    When is a person considered an adult? That depends. Most teens become physically mature by the age of 16 or so. But they are not adults in a legal sense until they are older. For example, in the U.S., you must be 18 to vote. Once adulthood begins, it can be divided into three stages: (1) early, (2) middle, and (3) late adulthood .
    ::什么时候一个人被视为成人?这取决于。大多数青少年在16岁左右时身体成熟。但他们不是法律意义上的成年人,直到他们长大。例如,在美国,你必须年满18岁才能投票。一旦成年,它可以分为三个阶段sad1) 早期,(2) 中间,(3) 成年后。

    Early Adulthood
    ::成人早期

    Early adulthood starts at age 18 or 21. It continues until the mid-30s. During early adulthood, people are at their physical peak. They are also usually in good health. The ability to have children is greatest during early adulthood, as well. This is the stage of life when most people complete their education. They are likely to begin a career or take a full-time job. Many people also marry and start a family during early adulthood.
    ::成年年龄从18岁或21岁开始,一直持续到30年代中期,在成年初期,人的身体处于高峰期,通常身体健康,成年初期生育子女的能力也最大,这是大多数人完成学业时的生活阶段,他们有可能开始职业生涯或从事全职工作,许多人在成年初期也结婚和组建家庭。

    Middle Adulthood
    ::中成年

    Middle adulthood begins in the mid-30s. It continues until the mid-60s.
    ::中度成年始于30年代中期,持续到60年代中期。

    During middle adulthood, people start to show signs of aging. Their hair slowly turns gray. Their skin develops wrinkles. The risk of health problems also increases during middle adulthood. For example, heart disease, , and become more common during this time. This is the stage of life when people are most likely to achieve career goals. Their children also grow up and may leave home during this stage.
    ::在中成年期,人们开始出现老龄化迹象,头发慢慢变灰,皮肤发皱,健康问题的风险在中成年期间也增加。例如,心脏病,在这个时期变得更加常见。这就是人们最有可能实现职业目标的生活阶段。他们的孩子也长大了,在这个阶段可能离家出走。

    Late Adulthood
    ::晚成年

    Late adulthood begins in the mid-60s. It continues until death. This is the stage of life when most people retire from work. They are also likely to reflect on their life. They may focus on their grandchildren.
    ::成年期晚于60年代中期开始,持续到死亡,这是大部分人退休时的生活阶段,他们也有可能思考自己的生活,他们可能关注孙子孙女。

    During late adulthood, people are not as physically able. For example, they usually have less muscle and slower reflexes. Their immune system also doesn’t work as well as it used to. As a result, they have a harder time fighting diseases like the flu. The risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and cancer continues to rise. Arthritis is also common. In arthritis, wear out and become stiff and painful. As many as one in four late adults may develop Alzheimer’s disease. In this disease, brain changes cause mental abilities to decrease.
    ::成年后,人的身体能力不如成年人。例如,他们通常肌肉较弱,反射速度较慢。他们的免疫系统也不如过去那么有效。因此,他们更难与流感等疾病作斗争。心脏病和癌症等疾病的发展风险在继续上升。关节炎也很常见。在关节炎中,衰竭并变得僵硬和痛苦。四分之一的晚年成年人可能患老年痴呆症。在这种疾病中,脑部变化导致智力下降。

    Three females representing different life stages, from elderly to young adult.
    This family picture shows females in each of the three stages of life. Which stage does each represent?

    Despite problems such as these, many people remain healthy and active into their 80s or even 90s. Do you want to be one of them? Then adopt a healthy lifestyle now and follow it for life. Doing so will increase your chances of staying healthy and active to an old age. Exercising the body and brain help prevent the physical and mental effects of aging.
    ::尽管存在这些问题,许多人在80年代甚至90年代仍然健康活跃。 您想要成为其中之一吗 ? 那么现在采取健康的生活方式并终生遵循它。 这样做将增加您保持健康活跃到老年的机会。 锻炼身体和大脑有助于防止老龄化的身心影响。

    Summary
    ::摘要

    • Adulthood is divided into the stages of early, middle, and late adulthood.
      ::成年分为成人早期、中年和晚期阶段。
    • The risk of health problems increases in middle adulthood and late adulthood.
      ::在成年中期和成年后,健康问题的风险增加。

    Explore More
    ::探索更多

    Use the resources below to answer the questions that follow.
    ::利用以下资源回答以下问题。

    Explore More I
    ::探索更多

    • The Owner's Manual To Adulthood at (5:25)
      ::《5:25时成年房主手册》(5:25)

     

     

    1. Why is it important to learn to prioritize activities?
      ::为什么必须学会确定活动的优先次序?
    2. What are some techniques people use to manage stress?
      ::人们用什么技术来应付压力?
    3. How can eating well, sleeping, and exercising help people with stress?
      ::如何吃好,睡觉和锻炼 帮助人们的压力?
    4. Do adults get to do whatever they want? Why or why not?
      ::成年人可以做他们想做的事吗?

    Explore More II
    ::探索更多情况二

    • Late Adulthood at (2:15)
      ::晚成年(2:15)

     

     

    1. Does reaching late adulthood mean you have to give up physical activity?
      ::成年后是否意味着你必须放弃体育活动?
    2. Do people in late adulthood still learn new things?
      ::成年后人们是否还在学习新东西?

    Review
    ::回顾

    1. How are early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood defined?
      ::如何界定成年早期、成年中期和成年后期?
    2. When are people at their physical peak?
      ::人何时处于身体高峰?
    3. What diseases are common in late adulthood?
      ::成年后有什么常见疾病?