ABSTRACT
O ur life journey is unique to each of us, and the twists and turns along our individual pathways are initially unknown. Along our paths, however, there are certain life events that may unfold almost predictably. We call these events human developmental milestones, and they are simply the events or markers along life’s way that sculpt, dene, or enrich us as we each live out our lives. These socially ascribed “milestones” of living are woven into the fabric of social norms that surround us and cover us in a blanket of social messaging that can unconsciously or consciously inuence our own desires and aspirations for ourselves. Therein, many people feel compelled to experience these milestones and actively pursue them as their own lives unfold, believing that they give life a certain richness and denition that is worthy of their realization.
