Taking advantage of opportunities to study, work, earn money, and control fertility is not an indication of protracted adolescence, but rather a rational response to the options available.
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Andrea Kramer and Angela Blakely, USA TODAY
Today’s young people are less likely to date, marry, have children, and leave their parents’ home than previous generations.some people press the panic button About the trend oflong adolescence“And what if millions of young Americans never assumed any adult responsibilities?
Will they face health or financial problems? How will their choices impact society?
Complex realities are not necessarily alarming. Comparing the demographics of previous and current generations misses how institutions such as marriage, family, and work have evolved. Young people’s behavior has changed because the demands and expectations placed on them are no longer the same. And changes that may seem alarming to older generations may actually have significant benefits.
Consider your family structure. It is true that an increasing number of young people are delaying marriage and child-rearing, or choosing not to have children at all.
In just two generations (since the 1950s); Median age at which men and women first marry They have risen by 7 and 8 years, making them 30 and 28 years old, respectively. 44% of Americans ages 18-49 report don’t want to have children.
Those who do experience it later in life. Median age of women giving birth The number has increased from 27 in 1990 to 30 today. US birth rate has fallen by 20% Since 2007.
Increasing numbers of women in the workforce eased pressure to marry young
Many of the reasons behind these changes are good. The biggest factor behind the increase in the median age of women giving birth for the first time is Decrease in teenage pregnancies. In 1991, the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 was 61.8, but in 2020 it decreased to 15.4. This is a very positive development.
Similarly, as women have more opportunities to work and earn an income, they have been relieved of some of the economic and social pressures that caused them to marry young.
In 1950, only about 30% of women over the age of 15 participate in the labor force, while by 2005, that figure was 60%. Educational levels also rose: in 1970, her 12% of women aged 25-34 Have a four-year university degree. Half a century later, that number is 41%.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration first contraceptive approved The 1960s saw a radical decline in unplanned pregnancies, another source of pressure on marriage.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to study, work, earn money, and control fertility does not indicate that adolescence will be prolonged. It is a rational response to the available options.
I tried birth control when I was 17 years old. I had no idea how difficult it would be.
Today, marriage is driven less by necessity and more by the desire for love and companionship, although it can have just as many tangible benefits. According to research, Married people earn more than single people, And that may be because married people are more selective when it comes to job hunting. Since the working spouse is on your side in terms of household income, there is no need to accept the first job offer that comes your way.
Taking some time before making traditional adult commitments can also mean a more stable life.According to research, people People who get married in their early 30s It is the country with the lowest divorce rate.
Adults can find support and companionship outside of marriage
Parents may worry that if their children do not marry, they will not experience the psychological benefits of a long-term partnership, such as the companionship, emotional support, and stability.
These benefits are real, but people can find them outside of marriage as well. A sense of belonging and purpose comes from a variety of sources, including extended family, religious communities, and even the neighborhood softball team and local bar.
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In other words, the problem is not that young people are delayed in forming families. Rather, while they do so, they fail to foster meaningful social connections elsewhere. 27% of Millennials born between 1981 and 1996 say they have such a connection. I have zero close friends. The situation may be even worse for Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012.
In total, approximately 61% of American youth report experiencing “.severe loneliness” According to a 2021 Harvard University study. Friendship rate is at a historic low.
The prevalence of loneliness among young people is a much more serious public health concern than lagging traditional vital indicators.Studies repeatedly show that close friends play a decisive role To prevent depression and suicide. Psychiatric researchers are estimating the health effects of long-term social isolation. equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Another traditional indicator of maturity in the United States was “leaving the nest,” but that too has changed.percentage of People aged 25 to 34 who live with their parents Currently, nearly one in six young people still lives at home.
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That’s not necessarily a bad thing. This is common in many countries and can help you save money and bond with your parents, siblings, and friends back home.
Even more worrying are cases of young people leaving home and then returning. According to the survey, “boomerang“Returning to the family home after a period of independence can cause mental health problems beyond those that led to the move, such as separation or job loss.
From a mental health perspective, what is important is that young people are moving towards residential and financial independence. But if young people want to leave home but are unable to because of debt or other financial stress, that’s cause for concern. Financial stress has a negative impact on your mental and even physical health.
Symptoms that appear to indicate prolonged intergenerational adolescence are more complex upon closer inspection. Most are not a problem in and of themselves. However, some people note social trends that we should be concerned about and need to address immediately.
Dr. Phil McGraw is one of the world’s best-known mental health experts and host of “Dr. Phil,” one of the highest-rated shows on daytime television. Dr. John Whyte is his chief medical officer at WebMD.