2008 Woodie Awards
Young adults are taking longer to grow up
MATURING: A recent study finds that students are taking more time to become what they consider "adults."
By: Evan Ortega
Issue date: 11/4/04 Section: Features
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Settling into adulthood in recent years appears to be taking longer for young adults than it did for generations before them, according studies in a magazine article published by the American Sociological Society.
"I think it's tough for young people now and you can't just blame them, because most of us want to make it easier for our kids, and making it easier isn't always the best thing; it really isn't," director of student development Harold Tyler said.
A recent study using census data by the American Sociological Association concludes that although the young adults of today have good psychological, cognitive and social skills needed for adulthood, many aren't financially independent and thus aren't self-sufficient.
The study looks at how the public's opinion of adulthood has changed over the last century, with society putting less emphasis on marriage and raising a family.
Instead, more emphasis is based on achieving a high level of education and being financially independent.
"For some people I think it's a big awakening- they realize that they need to make decisions that they are accountable and have to live with," Tyler said.
"The issue for them is that if they want to get something better, it means that they need to work and go back to school," he said.
Researchers found that in the '50s and '60s, people believed it was important to get married and raise a family, 97 percent of people surveyed believe that getting an education is at least somewhat important to being considered an adult.
During that time, only 52 percent considered having a child to be important, while 55 percent considered marriage to be important part.
The study also looks at how government and economic policies have shifted, affecting the transition to adulthood.
Young adults after World War II enjoyed plenty of housing and college benefits; today, many rely on their parents for such support until they can find a career.
"I think it's tough for young people now and you can't just blame them, because most of us want to make it easier for our kids, and making it easier isn't always the best thing; it really isn't," director of student development Harold Tyler said.
A recent study using census data by the American Sociological Association concludes that although the young adults of today have good psychological, cognitive and social skills needed for adulthood, many aren't financially independent and thus aren't self-sufficient.
The study looks at how the public's opinion of adulthood has changed over the last century, with society putting less emphasis on marriage and raising a family.
Instead, more emphasis is based on achieving a high level of education and being financially independent.
"For some people I think it's a big awakening- they realize that they need to make decisions that they are accountable and have to live with," Tyler said.
"The issue for them is that if they want to get something better, it means that they need to work and go back to school," he said.
Researchers found that in the '50s and '60s, people believed it was important to get married and raise a family, 97 percent of people surveyed believe that getting an education is at least somewhat important to being considered an adult.
During that time, only 52 percent considered having a child to be important, while 55 percent considered marriage to be important part.
The study also looks at how government and economic policies have shifted, affecting the transition to adulthood.
Young adults after World War II enjoyed plenty of housing and college benefits; today, many rely on their parents for such support until they can find a career.