Transforming the Concept of Maturity: The Shift in the Perception of Adulthood
In a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of York in 2024, the evolving psychology of adulthood has been explored, challenging the traditional notion of what it means to grow up. The study, which surveyed over 700 UK adults aged 18 to 77, reveals that contemporary adulthood is shifting away from traditional socio-demographic milestones like marriage and parenthood towards more subjective and psychological markers.
According to the research, adulthood is increasingly defined by internal experiences and psychological growth. Traits such as resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complexity are emphasized as relevant markers of adult status in today’s world. This shift away from fixed life events towards internal experiences and psychological growth is a response to the changing landscape of modern society, characterized by economic instability, social fluidity, and a culture that prizes self-actualization over conformity.
The study found a notable disparity between what people define as adulthood conceptually and what makes them feel like adults. Traditional milestones contribute somewhat to feeling adult but are not central to most individuals’ definitions. Interestingly, a positive attitude towards adulthood significantly predicts whether people feel like adults, accounting for 10% of the variance in subjective adult status. This suggests that adulthood is as much about identity and belief as about objective achievements.
The research also points to a rewriting of adulthood rather than simply a delay. The average age of first marriage in the UK has risen from 25 in 1970 to 35 in 2019, and the journey into traditional adulthood has become even more uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the enduring cost of the living crisis. However, this rewriting of adulthood is not all negative. It invites us to see adulthood as a lifelong practice, not as a fixed state achieved at a particular age or by completing a list of tasks.
From the meta-analysis perspective, career stability is endorsed by 57% of people as an important adult marker, indicating that long-term career settlement remains a relatively strong traditional marker compared to family markers like parenthood. The study also highlights the importance of fostering more positive narratives around adulthood and celebrating diverse ways people come of age today.
In conclusion, the University of York’s 2024 research suggests that adulthood in contemporary society is no longer a fixed stage defined by universal life events but a subjective, multifaceted, and evolving concept shaped largely by psychological and social factors. Society is encouraged to embrace and validate these diverse pathways and traits rather than cling to outdated milestones. The new definition of adulthood opens the door to a more inclusive, realistic, and ultimately liberating definition of what it means to grow up.
[1] University of York (2024). The Evolving Psychology of Adulthood: A Meta-Analysis. [2] University of York (2024). Preparation for Adulthood: A Study on the Shifting Landscape of Adulthood in the 21st Century.
- The University of York's groundbreaking study from 2024 highlights the role of psychology in shaping the concept of adulthood, shifting it towards internal experiences and personal growth, such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to navigate complexity.
- Education and self-development, including career stability, have emerged as significant markers of adulthood in today's world, according to the 2024 study, rather than traditional milestones like marriage and parenthood.
- The 2024 study conducted by the University of York calls for a renewed focus on fostering positive narratives around adulthood and celebrating diverse pathways to personal growth, emphasizing the need to move away from outdated notions of adulthood as a fixed state.
