Timing of Transitions Into Adulthood Among Rural Adolescents: An Investigation of Gender, Ethnicity, Family, and Community Influences

• In Event: 16.057 - Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: 16.057-20 - Aspirations and Transitions Among Rural Youth

Abstract

The expected timing of transitions into adult roles has critical implications for adolescent and early adulthood development. Guided by life course theory, this study investigated the expected transition times of contemporary rural youth and how these transition times vary in relation to gender and ethnicity. The study included a national sample of diverse adolescents (N = 5,231) from 34 different rural locations in the United States. Results showed gender- and ethnicity-related distinctions in the expected timing of transitions into job, marriage, and parenthood roles; women expected earlier ages of marriage and parenthood and somewhat similar ages of attaining a first job. In addition, white, black, Latino, and Native American students expected significantly different ages of transitioning into adult roles.

Authors

• Charlotte Agger, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Soo-yong Byun, The Pennsylvania State University

• Judith L. Meece, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill