According to new research, 21 is no longer the age most of us consider ourselves adults.
Traditionally, one’s 21st birthday party also marked the beginning of adulthood, but, reveals a new study by researchers at Melbourne’s Brotherhood of St Laurence charity, nowadays it’s just an excuse for a party.
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The findings, which revealed that only 38% of respondents believed they had reached maturity level by age 21, also found that 49% of respondents were undecided whether they were an adult or not at 21, while another 13% were “adamant” they weren’t.
The survey supports the theory “30 is the new 20,” with researcher Janet Taylor saying the age marker no longer holds the relevance it once did.
“Some are keen on adulthood and their independence and their maturity, but some were saying 'I am not ready'," Taylor said. "For some, the fact they were earning independent money and making their own decisions made them feel adult and for some they liked that they didn't have to take adult responsibilities yet.”
So when do most of us consider ourselves adults? If the research is to be believed, it’s our 30th birthday that marks the transition into adulthood.
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“The age of 30 is the new milestone of maturity,” confirmed social researcher and psychologist Hugh Mackay. “The new generation of ‘kidadults’ spent more time studying, travelling and had more career choices. Twenty one is an excuse for a party. Young people now approaching 30 regard that as the threshold to adulthood – 30 is the new 21.”
Do you agree? Is 21 the new 30?
4 Comments
It takes another 9 years to mature as an adult huh?I often see 21 years old act like a 12 years old kid and seeing teenagers acting like 3 years old.
ReplyTotally Agree. My twenties were spent; travelling, making (inexpensive) mistakes, learning about myself - caring for myself - living alone, paying bills and studying. I was mature for my age (much more than any friends at the time). It was a decade where I could be left to my own devices to find my feet. On the cusp of my 30th birthday I’m very aware that the next decade will bring much more 'adult' elements into my life. But I hope to always be young at heart.
ReplyNo, I got married at 23 and was pretty mature at age 21. I am now 30 and don't feel much different to when I was 21, however I have friends and siblings who are 30 and still act like children. I think it depends on the person, some people never want to take responsibility for things.
Replythis makes sense. i got married at 29 and had my son at 30. never considered myself mature enough to do that before i did.
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