An interesting survey has been released in the new issue of the Journal of Family Psychology, entitled “If You Want Me to Treat You Like an Adult, Start Acting Like One!”

The survey indicates that 18- to 25-year-olds may not be considered adults, even by those 18- to 25-year-olds themselves. When surveyed, just 16 percent of mothers and 19 percent of fathers considered their 18- to 25-year-old children to have reached adulthood. Even more notable is that only 16 percent of college students within that age bracket consider themselves to be adults.

Brigham Young professor Larry Nelson says that students in this age bracket are in an “emerging adulthood” phase, and that parents and children need to better communicate.

When asked what they considered evidence of having reached adulthood, students listed financial independence, living outside of their parents’ home and a strong career. Meanwhile, parents answered the same question by saying that responsible behavior with drinking, drugs, driving and sex is an indicator of adulthood. Students and parents did agree on something–both listed self-reliance as a characteristic of adulthood.

–Sara Elizabeth

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