Transforming the Concept of Maturity: The Shift in What Constructs Mature Adulthood Today
In a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of York in 2024, the evolving psychology of adulthood has been brought to light, challenging the traditional understanding of adulthood as a fixed state achieved at a particular age or by completing a list of tasks. Instead, adulthood is being redefined as a lifelong practice, a way of becoming.
The study surveyed over 700 UK adults aged 18 to 77, and approximately 80% of the participants defined adulthood by psychological attributes such as accepting responsibility, making autonomous choices, and achieving financial independence. Interestingly, those who have attained traditional milestones like marriage and parenthood are more likely to "feel" like adults, even if they do not view those milestones as defining.
The new definition of adulthood invites us to see it not as a fixed state, but as a lifelong practice, a way of becoming. This shift is particularly significant in a world marked by economic instability, social fluidity, and a culture that prizes self-actualization over conformity. The average age of first marriage in the UK has risen from 25 in 1970 to 35 in 2019, and adulthood, once a clearly understood stage of development, is now hazy for many, with traditional markers like marriage, homeownership, and parenthood far less widespread and valued.
The York researchers emphasize the importance of fostering more positive narratives around adulthood and celebrating psychological growth, resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complexity. They suggest that internal capacities, such as accepting responsibility and making decisions independently, are the most authentic markers of adulthood.
Kao's study "Preparation for Adulthood: Shifting Responsibility for Management of Daily Tasks From Parents to Their Children" supports this view, suggesting that the assumption of adult responsibility is a gradual transition, often stretching over a decade or more. The cost of living continues to climb due to inflation, gentrification, and overcrowding, making traditional markers of adulthood like homeownership less attainable for many.
However, it's important to note that there is a disparity between what people define as adulthood and what they emotionally associate with adulthood. Young adults aged 18-30 showed the most negative attitudes toward adulthood in the University of York study, which researchers attributed to the pandemic's effect on career prospects, housing security, and mental health.
The shift in the definition of adulthood opens the door to a more inclusive, realistic, and ultimately liberating definition of what it means to grow up. Rogoff's theory of "guided participation" suggests that cultural expectations and familial values shape how and when young people learn to manage their own lives, making adulthood a developmental arc deeply embedded in culture, context, and community. As we continue to navigate these changes, it's crucial to maintain a positive attitude toward adulthood, as a positive attitude is the strongest predictor of whether someone feels like an adult.
In conclusion, the rewriting of adulthood reflects a convergence of evolving psychological stages, sociological transformations of role and identity norms, and philosophical questions about identity formation and societal structures. These shifts have significant implications for how responsibility, independence, and maturity are understood and operationalized in modern life.
- The redefined notion of adulthood, guided by psychological traits and lifelong practice, aligns with the contemporary culture that values self-actualization over conformity.
- Education and self-development become essential as internal capacities like emotional intelligence and decision-making autonomously are recognized as the most authentic markers of adulthood.
- The shift in adulthood's definition contributes to a more inclusive, realistic, and liberating understanding of growing up, emphasizing the importance of fostering positive mental health narratives on this life-long journey.
