Defining adulthood extends beyond reaching a specific age, with ongoing brain development continuing until around 30, according to neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore. Sociologist Jean Viard emphasizes that adulthood is marked by the pursuit of stability, often achieved by age 30 through stable employment and family life. Autonomy also plays a crucial role, as the transition in parent-child dynamics reflects a shift towards equal partnerships and independent decision-making, highlighting personal growth and maturity.
An adult is typically defined as “a person who has reached or surpassed the age of around 20,” according to Larousse. However, the reality is far more intricate. Neuroscience expert Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, who has conducted extensive research on this topic, argues against the notion of a fixed age for adulthood. She posits that brain development does not conclude at 18 but rather continues to evolve until approximately the age of 30. The maturation of different brain regions occurs at varying rates, influenced by individual circumstances. Beyond biological factors, the question of maturity also comes into play.
Is Stability the Key to Adulthood?
Does completing education, securing a first job, achieving financial independence, or starting a family signify the transition into adulthood? Sociologist Jean Viard, author of “A New Young Age,” asserts that one becomes an adult when they actively seek stability. He notes that for many, adulthood is reached around the age of 30, particularly when they attain a steady job and embrace parenthood.
Viard highlights that the journey to adulthood is characterized by a “society of discontinuity, chosen instability, evolving skills, and the ability to adapt.” Psychologist Cécile Neuville, who focuses on positive psychology, adds that stability doesn’t require sacrificing joy or lightheartedness. In an interview on Air Zen Radio, she mentions, “One can be an adult who laughs freely, enjoys life, pursues dreams, and engages in fun activities like board games. Embracing adulthood doesn’t mean relinquishing these joys.”
Autonomy and Independence: Defining Adulthood
Beyond financial independence, is adulthood fundamentally about achieving autonomy? Basilie Chevrier, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Aix-Marseille, believes so. In her piece for The Conversation, she suggests that the definition of adulthood is more closely tied to familial changes than individual benchmarks. Autonomy, she argues, is evident when a person can make choices based on their own will. Neuville echoes this sentiment, stating that “being an adult means recognizing oneself as a complete individual,” capable of making informed decisions.
A shift in parent-child dynamics also serves as a significant indicator of adulthood. Chevrier places independence at the heart of autonomy, noting that relationships with parents often evolve from hierarchical to more equal partnerships, characterized by mutual respect. This transformation typically coincides with leaving the family home and rethinking one’s view of parents. “Young individuals no longer perceive themselves as children and start to see their parents as less omnipotent, leading to a de-idealization of the parental figure,” she remarks.