Understanding the Impact of Poverty on Critical Events in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Current trends have allowed some youth a lengthened transition to adulthood, in part because of demographic shifts that delay the time until adolescents assume adult roles. Although these trends are well documented, less research has examined how this impacts vulnerable subgroups. Using a sample of predominantly White youth (ages 18-33) from the National Survey of Families and Households ( N = 1,517), this study traces the timing of critical events in emerging adulthood. Using survival analysis, results suggest poverty impacts youth experiences of home leaving, marriage, and parenthood. Low-income youth are at greater risk of early home leaving but less likely to leave after age 18. They are less likely to marry, though they have a greater risk of parenthood prior to age 25. Taken as whole, these outcomes can set youth up for negative trajectories throughout adulthood and may not allow poor youth the same opportunity for an extended period of emerging adulthood.

Gender Differences in Longitudinal Links between Neighborhood Fear, Parental Support, and Depression among African American Emerging Adults

“…For many young adult African American males, these developmental tasks magnify the structural iniquities affecting young African-American men [37,73]. The collective effect of these challenges can be stressful for African American males and can contribute to worsening depressive symptoms for this group [14,74].…”

Predicting Unprotected Sex and Unplanned Pregnancy among Urban African-American Adolescent Girls Using the Theory of Gender and Power

“…Cohabitation among adolescents is rare in the general population, with estimated prevalences 1.8 % among teenage minors ages 15-17 (2007-2009 Current Population Survey), 17 and 5.6 and 4.8 % among ages 15-20 (2002 and 2006-10 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)). 18,19 Youth from poor families are more likely to leave their parents' home before age 18 than youth from nonpoor families 20 and thus more likely to cohabit. Adolescents who leave a family living situation early have worse subsequent educational and family outcomes.…”

Early Adult Identification Among Youth With Foster Care Experience: Implications for Emerging Adulthood

“…Research shows that those with lower educational attainment have difficulties in emerging adulthood and adulthood because of limited gains to human and social capital (Berzin & DeMarco, 2010;Fowler et al, 2011;Sawhill et al, 2012), continuing cumulative disadvantage for youth with foster care experience. The findings from this study reinforce the need to continue to develop and support programs and policies that promote post-secondary educational attainment for young adults with foster care experience Courtney, Hook, et al, 2010;Day, 2011;Unrau, Font, & Rawls, 2012).…”