Emerging adulthood
I recently read Albert Mohler asking Why aren’t ‘Emerging Adults’ emerging as adults?
But is it really a big deal? How much of his concern is a shift in societal expectations compared to a real and legitimate concern about personal maturity? He says:
In 1960, the vast majority of young adults had, by the time they reached 30, accomplished the five standard milestones used to measure adult status. These milestones include completing school, leaving home, getting married, having a child, and establishing financial independence. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, less than one-half of all young women reached these milestones by age 30 in 2000. Even more concerning — less than one third of all young men did.
Part of his conclusion is:
The extension of adolescence (itself a dubious and problematic life stage) means further delay in accepting the kinds of roles and responsibilities that make for mature Christians.
I’d love to hear what ‘emerging adults’ think about this.