Almost Two Million Young People Are Not “Emerging”

I love the line in the country song, “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”. …”Cause they’ll never stay home”.

Thousands recently graduated from high school and college. Despite the motivational commencement address about moving on to the next stage of life, many graduates will continue living at home for a decade or more. Young people are not emerging. Does America have a problem?

A recent Census Bureau Report led to some dramatic headlines:

Report: 1 in 3 U.S. young adults live with parents; 2.2 M are ‘idle’.

Census: More Americans 18 to 34 Now Live With Parents Than With Spouse

The Census Bureau tells us:

“More young people today live in their parents’ home than in any other arrangement: 1 in 3 young people, or about 24 million 18-to 34-year-olds, lived in their parents’ home in 2015.

Of young people living in their parents’ home, 1 in 4 are idle; …they neither go to school nor work. This figure represents about 2.2 million 25- to 34-year-olds.”

What is adulthood?

The Census Bureau defines adulthood as achieving four milestones; working, living independently, marriage and having children. Many survey participants disagreed with their definition:

“Most of today’s Americans believe that educational and economic accomplishments are extremely important milestones of adulthood. In contrast, marriage and parenthood rank low: over half of Americans believe that marrying and having children are not very important in order to become an adult.”

The participant’s response correlates with Dr. Jeffery Jensen Arnett’s paper, “Emerging Adulthood”. He believes young people aged 18-25 are bridging the gap between childhood, adolescence and having not yet entered the enduring responsibilities that are normally associated with adulthood – calling it “Emerging Adulthood”.

He contends that attaining adulthood are individualistic qualities of character – accepting personal responsibility, thinking and acting independently and becoming financially independent.

Some good news

In the 1970’s, Gail Sheehy wrote a great book; “Passages”, outlining what normally happens in each decade of life. She concluded that our society is getting younger, 80 is what 70 used to be, 60 is what 50 used to be, etc. Each chronological age is behaving as though they were younger than the generation before them.

The Census Bureau survey weighs in:

“In 1976, over two-thirds of women, …were mothers by the time they were 25 to 29 years old. To find that same proportion today we have to look among women who are aged 30 to 34.

…In 1976, some 85 percent of women and 75 percent of men were married by the time they were 29 years old. To find at least that same proportion today, we have to look among people in their early 40s. …Young adults are not necessarily giving up on marriage. They are waiting longer.

…Over the long term, women’s chances of marrying are nearly as high as they were 20 years ago, but their chances of marrying as young adults have fallen sharply.”

This subject generated much discussion among my peer group of early baby boomers and retirees. Once we graduated from high school, we were expected to leave home, either heading off to college or joining the military. Those who were not college material started in the trades as apprentices and worked their way up the economic ladder.

While the academics use fancy terms, my grandfather’s simplicity still holds true. He taught me that all animals are responsible to bring their offspring to the point they can survive, (and hopefully thrive) on this planet – on their own. As a youngster, my mission was clearly understood; I was expected to grow to be self-sufficient. Family elders would not be there to look after me.

So what’s the good news?

Despite the fact many in the young generation are being coddled, wrapped in bubble wrap, shipped off to college with their “safe spaces” shielding them from reality, the vast majority are eventually figuring things out and becoming productive adult members of society.

Who’s left at home?

The Census Bureau digs into the details:

“At 24.2 million people, the population of 18- to 34-year-olds living at home is a large and diverse group. …About 81 percent are either working or going to school.

…Of the 8.4 million 25- to 34-year-olds living at home, about 1 in 4 are idle, meaning they are not in school and do not work.”

The majority of the young people still living at home are making progress toward becoming self-sufficient; it’s just taking longer than it has in the past.

Of the 1 in 4 who are idle, over 25% are disabled and have some type of limitations. Their health plays an important role in their decision to live with parents.

What remains is approximately 1.6 million who are able to work and/or go to school but not doing so. They are described this way:

“They tend to be older millennials, white or black and have only a high school education, compared with their peers who are working or going to school while living at home. …They are more likely to have a child, so they may be caring for family…”

Dr. Arnett discusses parenthood:

“Parenthood ranks low in young people’s views of the essential criteria for adulthood …but those who have had a child tend to view becoming a parent as the most important marker of the transition to adulthood for themselves.

The explorations that occur in emerging adulthood become sharply restricted with parenthood, because it requires taking on the responsibilities of protecting and providing for a young child. With parenthood, the focus of concern shifts inexorably from responsibility for one’s self to responsibility for others.”

Does parenthood cause young people to grow into adults? The census bureau tells us, “Nearly 40 percent of all births in the United States are to unmarried women.” They draw no conclusion on this subject.

A poorly educated, single parent living at home has very little opportunity for financial and emotional independence. During their early years, decisions they made affect the rest of their life; particularly if their partner does not accept parenting responsibility.

What does this mean for family elders?

The “Race to the Finish Line” has changed. Once the nest is empty, parents generally focus on their next phase of life – planning and funding retirement.

The generation that married in their early 20’s saw their children leaving the nest around the time they were 50. Many were in their peak earning years and could play “catch up” – racing to save as much as possible to be able to retire. There was a 10-15 year bridge to the retirement phase.

Parents of the 8.4 million children still living at home past age 25 have a bigger retirement planning challenge. Supporting your children for even a few more years can cut 1/3 or more off the bridge to the finish line – or cause parents to continue working longer. Those harboring the 1.6 million between ages 25-34 who are “idle” and not making progress, have even bigger challenges.

The millennial generation is taking longer to move through each cycle. Millennials will probably work well into their 70’s (or longer) to be able to retire.

Set expectations and glorify the goal early on. Francis Marion, (High Country Blog) wrote a terrific article, “The Things Men Do”. He discusses risk and responsibility and begins with a cool quote:

“There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences. – P.J. O’Rourke”

The ability to be financially and emotionally independent applies to all, not just men. While the timeline may be different, the goal and expectations have not changed. Using some common sense (and avoiding pregnancy) seems to be working well for most young Americans.

I saved the best news for last.

Way to go cowgirls! I believe the best marriages are between adults who choose to be married, where neither is financially dependent on the other. The cowgirls are doing terrific! The Census Bureau has some significant points:

“There are now more young women than young men with a college degree…

…More young people are working today and have a full-time job. The driving force has been the rise of young women in the labor force…

…A woman with a college degree is less likely to be married by the age of 25 than one with only a high school diploma. By the age of 35, …the college-educated woman has a greater chance of being married and staying married… A college-educated woman has a 78 percent chance of still being married by her twentieth anniversary. A woman with only a high school diploma has a 41 percent chance.”

Despite the bubble wrap and coddling, the system is still working – most young people are growing into responsible adults.

Parenting, grand-parenting (and great-grand parenting) are wonderful phases of life. The true joy comes from helping each generation grow to become independent, responsible adults; fulfilling their role in the natural order of things. Whether they grow up to be cowboys or cowgirls, help keep the line moving. When your judgment day comes, rest easy; you did your job!

On the Lighter Side

700+ students at Jupiter High School received their diploma last week. The principal proudly announced a large percentage were going on to college. Godspeed and we wish them well.

Minimum wage increases are causing changes in the fast food industry. We saw our first kiosk in a McDonalds a few miles from the high school. I’m sure it is a sign of things to come.

McDonalds has the cleanest restrooms in America. During our five-day trip across country I conducted an unscientific survey. I observed more seniors working at McDonalds than young people.

The impact of raising the minimum wage is likely having a negative effect on seniors who are also trying to supplement their retirement.

Many took the opportunity to chat with customers and appeared to enjoy doing so. They appeared happy and we received a lot of good service with a smile. There are a lot of positives for seniors still being productive.

And finally…

Being the oldest of the four generations at the graduation was a reminder that time waits for no one. Some time ago a friend sent me “rules for aging” which are easily saved with modern technology. A couple of them are appropriate – graduation season is a visible reminder for all that time marches on.

• Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

This one fit right in with this week’s article:

• Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

Until next time…