The myth of modern "adulthood"
It's Been a Minute
NPR
4.6 • 8.8K Ratings
🗓️ 1 December 2025
⏱️ ? minutes
Summary
What does it mean to be an independent adult?
More young adults live with their parents than in the past, and are also delaying the traditional markers of independent adulthood like marriage and childbirth. Roughly nine-in-ten parents say it’s extremely or very important to them that their children be financially independent when they are adults, but are our cultural notions of financial independence changing? And are today’s young adults prepared to handle the emotional challenges of adult life?
To find out, Brittany is joined by Nancy Hill, Professor of Education and Developmental Psychologist at Harvard University, and Kathryn Jezer-Morton, writer for New York Magazine and The Cut.
(0:00) What does it mean to be an adult?
(4:46) Is Gen-Z "failing to launch" into adulthood?
(10:32) The myths of unpaid dues
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Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse
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More young adults live with their parents than in the past, and are also delaying the traditional markers of independent adulthood like marriage and childbirth. Roughly nine-in-ten parents say it’s extremely or very important to them that their children be financially independent when they are adults, but are our cultural notions of financial independence changing? And are today’s young adults prepared to handle the emotional challenges of adult life?
To find out, Brittany is joined by Nancy Hill, Professor of Education and Developmental Psychologist at Harvard University, and Kathryn Jezer-Morton, writer for New York Magazine and The Cut.
(0:00) What does it mean to be an adult?
(4:46) Is Gen-Z "failing to launch" into adulthood?
(10:32) The myths of unpaid dues
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
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