Emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25 today face numerous significant challenges that impact their personal, professional, and social lives. About seven-in-ten Americans think young adults today have a harder time than their parents’ generation when it comes to saving for the future (72%), paying for college (71%), and buying a home (70%), according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in October 2021 [1]
Another study, reported in The Atlantic magazine, by the Harvard Graduate School of Education survey on mental health in America, found young adults are the age demographic most in crisis. 36% of participants ages 18 to 25 reported experiencing anxiety and 29% reported experiencing depression—about double the proportion of 14-to-17-year-olds for each measure.
Let’s look at some of the challenges young adults face.
- Financial Pressures
Young adults struggle with financial instability due to rising costs of education, housing, and living expenses. Many are burdened by student loans and face difficulties achieving financial independence. No wonder that so many Americans believe young adults today have a harder time saving for the future compared to their parents’ generation. And many young adults don’t understand finances and how to manage them.
- Career Uncertainty
The job market has become increasingly unpredictable, with the rise of the gig economy and rapid technological advancements contributing to instability. Young adults often feel overwhelmed by career options while simultaneously finding it difficult to secure meaningful employment.
- Developing Identity and Purpose
Emerging adults are grappling with the development of their identities. In this quest of self-discovery, they strive to explore their personal values and beliefs. But they are doing this in a rapidly changing world, with constant technological innovation, which can be both an aid and a hindrance.
This is made more challenging by the presence of multiple online worlds, each with a representation of their evolving identities, together with a growing pressure to conform and be subject to unfavorable comparisons by others on social media.
- Mental Health Issues
Mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and stress, are prevalent among young adults. The transition to adulthood brings new responsibilities that can be overwhelming, and constant comparison facilitated by social media adds to the stress. Young adults in America are reported to be more depressed, anxious, and lonely than any other age group [2].
- Loneliness and Lack of Connection
A startling 61% of young people aged 18-25 reported they were lonely in one survey [3]. In an ocean of online connectedness, many young adults are lonely. They lack authentic face-to-face friends and support groups as they struggle to find their place online among their peers and in society. This struggle underlies in great part some of the mental health challenges young adults face.
- Social and Political Unrest
Living in an era marked by social, political, and environmental upheaval adds complexity to young adults’ lives. Constant exposure to global crises, political polarization, and climate change can create a sense of powerlessness and anxiety about the future.
- Relationship Challenges
Young adults navigate a complex landscape of romantic and platonic relationships, often delayed by traditional milestones such as marriage and family formation. The rise of digital communication has transformed how relationships are formed and maintained, sometimes complicating the emotional landscape.
- Independence and Responsibility
The transition to adulthood brings new responsibilities, including managing household chores, balancing work and life duties, and learning time management skills. This shift can be challenging for many young adults who are experiencing these tasks for the first time.
These challenges collectively contribute to lower levels of life satisfaction and hopefulness among young adults, as observed in recent surveys [1]. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach involving support from society, policymakers, and mental health professionals.
Supporting Young Adults In Their Journey to Independence
Engage Young Adult Transitions is a transitional living program and therapeutic community that assists young adults on their path to independence. Using attachment theory, we provide a foundation for forming connections, getting involved with the community, managing mental health, and building life skills for long-term success.
Located just steps from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, we offer access to services seven days a week, including academic support, vocational training and career guidance, life skill coaching, mental health therapies, and recreational activities.
Our community offers high levels of therapeutic support that honors autonomy and independence while guiding young adults to a life of freedom, emotional wellness, and success. Get involved with the Engage Transitions community today!
Sources
[1] Pew Research Center. Most in the U.S. say young adults today face more challenges than their parents’ generation in some key areas. PewResearch.org.
[2] Hill F. 2024. 20-Somethings Are in Trouble. The Atlantic.
[3] Weissbourd R. et al. Loneliness in America: How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It. Making Caring Common Project. Harvard Graduate School of Education.