To answer Cheryl's question... By Rebecca Jenn

Q: Do you think it is more difficult to transition to adulthood now than in the past? Why or why not? ~Cheryl

A: Thank you for this question Cheryl! It was very exciting for me to see it, not only as a transitioning adult, but also in consideration of everything that we have been writing about, this brings up an interesting issue! 

From my book review on Irwin's (2005) book, Rights of Passage, one of the hardest areas that transitioning adults have been hit with is the economy. Because of the economic downturns in America, many children are staying at home longer because they cannot find a career, well-paying job in order to have full independence. The National Center for Education Statistics (2011) also agrees with Irwin, that American young adults, ages 25-29 had an 11% unemployment rate; which is slightly better than the 19% that 16-24 year olds were suffering in 2010 (p. vii). However, with a college education, one was more likely to have a median income of $33,000 compared to $18,000 for those who did not complete high school. 

With this statistic, the issue of higher education also comes up. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of "some college" attending individuals was 36% in 2010 (2011). the question is, then, does college delay the transition into adulthood? As mentioned above, many more students that have a college degree are more likely to be involved than those that do not have a high school diploma. 89% could be delayed because of unemployment.  

All this to say, the transition to adulthood is becoming more difficult and more arduous but not impossible. College seems to slow things down a bit more, and the economic down turn has either meant that young adults are becoming independent more quickly or they are taking their time to graduate. With my experience, my parents have allowed me to be dependent on them for my entire college career: I didn't have to pay a phone bill, car insurance, or room and board. However, when I graduate from college all of that is going to change. On the other hand, one of my roommates has had to pay much of her way through college, pay her own bills for her car, phone, room and board. Her family situation resulted in her almost immediate independence once she moved to college. 

So I think it just depends on the way parents are available--emotionally, and financially. I would say that the transition to adulthood has been easy for me, but for my roommate, a little more challenging. So, on a case by case basis, the transition into adulthood could either be challenging or not. 

Resources:

Aud, S.,. KewalRamani, A., and rohlich, L. (2011). America’s Youth: Transitions to Adulthood . Washington, D:C: U.S. Government Printing Office. 

Irwin, S. (1995). Rights Of Passage: social change and the transition from youth to adulthood. Bristol, Pa: : UCL Press.