The Transition to Adulthood: Too Slow or Too Fast?

Suzanne M. Bianchi, University of California, Los Angeles
Sarah M. Kendig, University of Texas at Austin
Marybeth J. Mattingly, University of New Hampshire
Betsy Thorn, University of Maryland

We use the PSID TA-07 and CDS-II data to examine claims about social class bifurcation in young adulthood – with poverty-level youth possibly taking on adult roles “too early” while high-income youth may be supported for a long period past their 18th birthday. Although not all evidence is consistent with this bifurcated story, the data are largely consistent with both arguments. Poor young adults establish financial independence early whereas affluent young adults receive large financial transfers from their parents. Poor young adults make early family transitions and worry about money and losing their jobs; affluent young adults do not. The poor skip school in high school whereas the affluent expect to go to college and do attend as young adults. The poor are more likely to help and emotionally support siblings than the affluent, as predicted in the qualitative ethnographic work on “childhood adultification” and the welfare-to-work reform experiments.