Most Americans believe that someone isn’t grown-up until the age of 26 and they should complete their education, have a full-time job, have a family to support and be financially independent. They also believe that becoming a real grown-up is a process which begins at about the age of 20 and takes about five years, according to the report from the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center.
The findings are based on a representative sample (代表性样本) of 1,398 people over the age of 18 who were surveyed in person. The survey found that people expect the transitions (过度,转变) to grown-up status to be completed at the following ages: age 20 self-supporting; age 21 no longer living with parents; age 22 having a full-time job; age 22.5 education completed; age 24.5 being able to support a family financially; age 26 getting married; and age 26.5 having a child.
“There is a large degree of agreement across social groups on the relative importance of the seven transitions,” said Tom Smith, director of the survey. The only obvious pattern of differences is on views about supporting a family, having children and getting married. Older adults consider these more important than younger adults do. This probably shows in large part a change in values across generations away from traditional family values. The most valued step toward reaching adulthood, the survey found, is completing education, followed by full-time employment, supporting a family, financial independence, living independently, and marriage.
2. What does the survey find to be the most important step towards adulthood?
AHaving a child.
BCompleting education.
CLiving without parents.
DSupporting a family.