Demographics of Young
Adulthood
- Yes, the international chronological standard for defining adulthood is age 18 (Lloyd, Behrman, Stromquist, & Cohen, 2006).
- But are people in their late twenties and thirties more experienced in life? Do they understand their emotions and how to control them; or do they know what it takes to start off a career and family?
- Typical chronological ages associated with young adulthood are 22 to 34 (Ashford, LeCroy, & Lortie, 2006) or 18 to 34 (Settersten et at., 2005).
- Young adults ages 18-25 agree that they have not yet reached their adulthood. A majority of people in their 30’s do agree they have reached adulthood (Arnett, 2000, pg. 277).
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Leaving Home
"The increase in 25-34 yr olds living home started before the recent recession, and has continued beyond it,” said author, Rose Kreider, a family demographer with the Fertility and Family Statistics Branch.
- Between 2005 and 2011, young adults living at home increased. (According to the U.S. Census Bureau)
- 59% of men age 18-24 and 50% of women resided at home in 2011, up from 53% and 46% in 2005. It should be noted that college students living in a dormitory are counted in their parents' home, so they are included in these percentages.
- Men age 25-34 living home rose from 14% in 2005 to 19% in 2011 and from 8%-10% over the period for women (According to the U.S. Census Bureau).
Education
- Aprox. half of educationally disadvantaged 18-24 year olds have not completed high school, moved on to college, or moved on to advanced vocational training (Hair et al., 2003 pg. 288).
- A record share of the nation’s young adults ages 25-29 (90%) has finished at least a high school. And another record share of 63% has completed at least some college.
Relationships
Marriage numbers are stagnant among those with a high school education or less. Numbers are rising among women ages 25-34 (the college-educated), which is where "short-term increases in weddings will be concentrated," says this analysis, released exclusively to USA TODAY.
The sample below, shows 60% of young adults in some a romantic relationship while in their early 20s, with 16% married, 17% cohabiting, and 27% dating.
The sample below, shows 60% of young adults in some a romantic relationship while in their early 20s, with 16% married, 17% cohabiting, and 27% dating.
Employment
In 2000, the United States had the lowest non-emplyment rate for 25-34 year olds. By 2011, America had one of the highest youth non-employment rates compared to its peers, according to a New York Times op-ed by David Leonhardt, the paper’s Washington bureau chief.
- Among adults ages 18 to 34, more than a third say they have gone back to school in the face of a tough labor market, the Pew study notes.
- Just 54 percent of Americans ages 18 to 24 currently have jobs, according to a study released by the Pew Research Center (2012).
For information on young adults gaining financial independence, please click HERE.