Adulting then and now: How growing up has changed

Coleman/ClassicStock // Getty Images The definition of adulthood varies dramatically by the cultural or generational lens you’re looking through, and so the concept of “adulting” can be in constant flux. But have recent historic moments, including a global pandemic and its far-reaching impacts, significantly shifted the timeline of certain milestones for our younger generations?  In the mid-19th century, for example, adulthood was synonymous with marriage and parenthood. In 1950, the median age for first marriages was 22.8 for men and 20.3 for women, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Fast forward to 2021 and ages have shifted to 30.4 for men and 28.6 for women. And while 18-to 24-year-olds in the 1950s were buying houses of their own in the suburbs, 58% of young adults in this age group reported living with their parents in 2021. Jerry took a deeper look at Census data and labor statistics to curate a list of seven significant changes to our lifestyles, economics and society that have shaped the way we “adult” over time. Fewer young adults have driver’s licenses Canva For decades, getting a driver’s license meant freedom for teens. But nowadays, younger generations don’t seem to be in a hurry to get in the driver’s seat. Nearly 92% of people aged 20-24 in 1983 had a driver’s license, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration, yet three decades later, in 2017, fewer than 80% did. Anecdotally, adults without licenses have cited everything from preferring more eco-friendly transportation methods to the economy. A 2013 study conducted by the University of Michigan found that costs were prohibitive to some people while others simply didn’t feel they had time to pursue getting a license. However, across all American households, car ownership rates have been fairly steady over the years. The number of cars per household hasn’t seen a significant change between 2001 and 2017 in either urban and rural regions, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Transportation. So owning a car and all the responsibilities that come with it–taking out an auto loan, buying insurance, keeping up with maintenance–are still a part of American adult life, just at an older age. Life skills and experience is trailing for younger generations Leah Nash For The Washington Post // Getty Images Many of those who graduated high school or college around 2020 are only now entering the workforce for the first time, as the economy recovers from the pandemic. They’re learning for the first time how to work in a professional environment and budget their paychecks. Meanwhile, college graduates in the class of 2022 jumped straight into one of the strongest job markets in years, giving many a chance to shrink the skills gaps that appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic when jobs were scarcer. At the same time, however, life skills gaps are widening. Growing inflation, a high cost of living, and record-high student loan debt have hindered the ability of many millennials and Gen Zers to achieve typical adult milestones, like buying homes or having children. That means more people are getting a crash course in life skills later in life, from holding a mortgage to budgeting for a household. Adults are saving less overall and banking differently