Section 3.4 Early adulthood (18-40 years)

During early adulthood, individuals continue to develop their moral reasoning, often reaching what Lawrence Kohlberg identified as the post-conventional level, where moral decisions are guided by internalized ethical principles such as justice, equality, and human rights, even when these conflict with societal norms or laws. This period is marked by exposure to complex moral and ethical dilemmas in areas like family, work, parenting, and social justice, which require adults to move beyond rule-following and instead engage in critical evaluation of conflicting values, empathetic consideration of others’ perspectives, and decision-making grounded in personal convictions.

Adults at this stage increasingly prioritize principles like honesty and integrity, even at personal cost, such as challenging unethical behavior at work. As they mature, their values become deeply ingrained and self-defined, no longer simply influenced by external forces like peers or institutions but shaped through critical reflection and internal affirmation. These values become an essential part of their identity and guide their actions, as seen in individuals who make lifestyle choices—such as practicing environmental sustainability not for approval, but because these beliefs are central to who they are.