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Adulthood: What's the Rush?

The truth about 21st century 20-somethings.

Career
Lean In Is a Different Story When There’s No One to Lean On

Barbara Ray on March 26, 2013

The kind of grind that less-educated women struggle with is a grind that Sheryl Sandberg and Anne-Marie Slaughter and their followers know nothing about. They may be stressed and exhausted from the juggle, but it is not the kind of stress that leaves them empty and hopeless. It is that kind of stress that can harm the mothers' children.

The kind of grind that less-educated women struggle with is a grind that Sheryl Sandberg and Anne-Marie Slaughter and their followers know nothing about. They may be stressed and exhausted from the juggle, but it is not the kind of stress that leaves them empty and hopeless. It is that kind of stress that can harm the mothers' children.

Marriage
Cohabitation's Effect on Kids

Barbara Ray on March 19, 2013

Cohabiting couples in the US typically don't last past 5 years and if kids are involved, the churn can leave a lasting impact.

Cohabiting couples in the US typically don't last past 5 years and if kids are involved, the churn can leave a lasting impact.

Marriage
Baby Before Marriage Is Fast Becoming the Norm

Barbara Ray on March 15, 2013

The average age at first birth is now lower than the average age at first marriage--and it's middle America driving the trend.

The average age at first birth is now lower than the average age at first marriage--and it's middle America driving the trend.

Health
Boomer Parents Feel Squeeze of Supporting Their Young Adult Children

Barbara Ray on May 4, 2012

At dinner with friends the other night, Sarah, a mother of two young adults, said something that struck me. We've all heard how hard young adults have it during this recession. Latest estimates are that more than 50 percent of recent graduates are either unemployed or underemployed (working at a job they're overqualified for).

At dinner with friends the other night, Sarah, a mother of two young adults, said something that struck me. We've all heard how hard young adults have it during this recession. Latest estimates are that more than 50 percent of recent graduates are either unemployed or underemployed (working at a job they're overqualified for).

Career
We're Reinventing What It Means to Age

Barbara Ray on December 4, 2011

Boomers are delaying death (or at least trying to), and 20-somethings are delaying adulthood. We're all reinventing what it means to age. But so far, only our own personal imaginations are changing. The big institutions in our lives are slow to respond to "the big shift."

Boomers are delaying death (or at least trying to), and 20-somethings are delaying adulthood. We're all reinventing what it means to age. But so far, only our own personal imaginations are changing. The big institutions in our lives are slow to respond to "the big shift."

Friends
Generation Stuck: The One-two Punch of College Debt and a Recession

Barbara Ray on April 15, 2011

The promise of college is the American Dream for working-class parents like David's. David's dad had bigger dreams for his son than removing asbestos in a refinery. Yet, the ins and outs of college were a blur. The result: unmanageable debt and a stunted beginning to adulthood.

The promise of college is the American Dream for working-class parents like David's. David's dad had bigger dreams for his son than removing asbestos in a refinery. Yet, the ins and outs of college were a blur. The result: unmanageable debt and a stunted beginning to adulthood.

Depression
Is this generation as resilient as were children of the Great Depression?

Barbara Ray on April 5, 2011

Many in this generation, groomed as they were to succeed and believe in themselves, are finding themselves on unfamiliar ground. Adversity is not in their vocabulary. They grew up amid affluence (even if that affluence was on paper only). And as biography meets history in this Great Recession, it remains to be seen how they will cope.

Many in this generation, groomed as they were to succeed and believe in themselves, are finding themselves on unfamiliar ground. Adversity is not in their vocabulary. They grew up amid affluence (even if that affluence was on paper only). And as biography meets history in this Great Recession, it remains to be seen how they will cope.

Parenting
Unemployment nears 16% for young adults--and you wonder why they're moving home

Barbara Ray on December 29, 2010

If we had one goal with this book it was to change the conversation we have with our kids and them with us. But I fear that our book pales in comparison to the effect the recession will have (has had) on this conversation.

If we had one goal with this book it was to change the conversation we have with our kids and them with us. But I fear that our book pales in comparison to the effect the recession will have (has had) on this conversation.

Genetics
How will the recession affect this optimistic, institution-trusting GenY?

Barbara Ray on December 7, 2010

Two things about the recession and its effects are dawning on young adults we've interviewed so far. First, the future is no longer as carefree as it once was. A second realization for those in the middle and lower-middle-class is that meritocracy is a ruse.

Two things about the recession and its effects are dawning on young adults we've interviewed so far. First, the future is no longer as carefree as it once was. A second realization for those in the middle and lower-middle-class is that meritocracy is a ruse.