Final answer:
Values are generally well established by adulthood, having been shaped by early childhood experiences and further developed through teenage years. The consolidation of values is influenced by personal and societal experiences and continues to evolve throughout various life stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Values tend to be fairly well established by the time we reach adulthood. The question hints at different life stages, focusing on when our values become ingrained. Early on, values start to take shape based on early childhood experiences, and as we enter teenage years, they further evolve through social interaction and increased cognitive abilities. By adulthood, individuals have usually gone through various rites of passage and life experiences that consolidate their core values.
In early adulthood, people are often completing their education, creating intimate relationships, and starting families, making it a vital time for reinforcing personal values. Cultural expectations and societal roles continue to influence values, but by this stage, most individuals have developed a framework of values that will guide their decisions and interactions moving forward. However, it is important to consider that values can evolve and be challenged at any stage in life.
While age norms, governmental definitions of adulthood, and the legal responsibilities that come with it are established, personal values are also shaped by experiences, interactions, and cultural socialization. Ultimately, our values are solidified over time, influenced by personal, societal, and cultural experiences.