Adulthood like life courses and transitions is a subjective matter. History will show that adulthood is defined by a plethora of responsibilities and activities; that being, leaving home, education or training, career or job, marriage, buying a home and having children… usually in that order. Researchers such as Arnett, approve of this order of transitions and even conclude that the beginning of adulthood starts at the age of eighteen once adolescence ends. In today's society we see that adulthood is more so defined by a feeling, not necessarily a collective of things. Outward markers of society have lost their influence in collectively defining adults and adulthood, in many respects. Today's twenty-one-year olds differs entirely to those of the past; they are still in school, live at home and do not have a career or children. Having said that, many researchers have argued that the definition of adulthood imposes exact guidelines on what it is to be an adult and when an individual is considered an adult. Even associating the term to an age, consequently allowing terms like adulthood to be standardized. The standardization of adulthood by age doubles as a projection of aspirations for many. This meaning that, young adults plan out their life trajectories & course as well as transitions by age (i.e. at the age of 21, be done with University, by the age of 25-56, be established in your career, by 28-29 be married, etc.). However, these projections do not accurately describe the transitions of all young adults and adolescents. The developmental stages of a young adult are not solely based on environmental development or defined by age, but culturally as well. Children and adolescents worldwide do not share the same challenges, interests, and even more importantly, realities. That being said, cultural differences between countries require more of a cultural view, fitting with the realities lived locally. This essay will therefore focus on the interpretation of ethnic and culture diversity on the transition into adulthood, and the early effects it poses on childhood and future success. Consequently, comparing other countries ethnical norms to the norms of Westernized countries.
The process of adulthood is not so in flux that in can be defined worldwide by a set of standardized transitions. In fact, economic and environmental disparities worldwide have introduced a different perspective of the notion. Normative markers of adulthood, are being replaced by personal markers due to the progressive state of said country. The circumstances of certain countries, force parents to enlist the help of their children to help provide financial and domestic help. Some cases, forcing them to leave school, consequently forcing them to take on adult roles, and sacrificing their youth. In Africa, children between the ages of four and fifteen are being asked to work, in order to help provide, either financially or domestically for the family. The housework ranges from cooking and cleaning to getting water while the paid work ranges from selling produce to child trafficking and labour. Given this example, it is clear that the impacts of environmental obligations and financial circumstances influence and guide the overall outlook on adulthood in certain countries. Economy does severely impact the transitions into adulthood. Depending on the circumstances, the economic status can lead to children growing up beyond their years and sacrificing their childhood. In westernized societies, the work of children, or in other words, child labour is completely unacceptable. The legal age limit for children to be allowed to work is 16 years old. This age is considered an age of maturity and full understanding of responsibilities. However, due to the financial state of certain countries, children are being asked to fulfill those responsibilities and acquire a certain level of maturity to provide. According to westernized countries, those responsibilities alone belong to an adult. Having said that, the transition of adulthood can therefore not be generalized or standardized as guidelines to adulthood. The impact of these circumstances tarnishes the chid youth and overall childhood. A child between the ages 4 and 15, as not biologically and socially matured nor have they gained the necessary qualifications to be considered an adult. But If by westernized standards, provision of family and work is considered a transition into adulthood and becoming an adult, socially these children can be seen as adults, at great cost, their childhood.
Furthermore, ethnic traditions rooted in culture have impacted the definition and expectations of adulthood. Having said that, rites of passage, have catapulted adolescents into adults, overshadowing the standard steps of westernized transitions and life courses into adulthood. For instance, in Latin countries, the Quinceanera is a rite of passage for young women. This ceremony for Latin girls aged 15, begins with a church service and is followed by a celebration amongst family and friends. During this event, the young girl will change from flats into heels, thus symbolically demonstrating to the world that she has now transitioned from a girl to a woman. Ceremonies like so, long ago and for some today, were milestones. Girls were expected to take on adult responsibilities including marriage, therefore dominating or disregarding other transitions like education. With a special focus on being married, eventually leaving home and bearing children, these Latin women were also by westernized standards becoming adults. That being said, these expectations and aspirations associated with this rite of passage have tainted the child's right to childhood and all that comes with it. Children aged 15 are expected to throw away their childhood and experiences that come along, to symbolically and socially become adults. The legal age limits for marriage is 16 in most countries, including westernized countries. That being said, according to the definition of transitions, this does not necessarily discredit what is it to be adult and when that is. Though, the wed lock of a 16-year-old child is frowned upon in western countries, it does not disrepute the transitions of adulthood. Once again, by westernized description and definitions of adulthood transitions, children who follow different ethnic or cultural traditions (rites of passage) are becoming adult or are already adults, despite their age.
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To continue, religious beliefs have also redefined the transitions into adulthood as well as cause children to sacrifice their innocence and childhood. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the legal age limit for wed lock in most countries, is that of 16 years old. It is however, socially frowned upon to marry or procreate at the age of 16. In some countries, this socially unacceptable to some, is completely encouraged and accepted. In Saudi Arabia, and many Muslim societies, it is religious practice to marry off your child to an older man for money. The father of the bride (some cases the groom), will sell his daughter (or son) to an older man (or woman) to be wed. In these cases, the child is usually of very young age. These men, prefer young girls so they can continue to procreate and dominate in the household. The justification for this, is that of religious beliefs. The Prophet Muhammad married his wife 'Aisha when she was only six years old. It was said as well, that the Prophet Muhammad consummated their marriage at the age on nine. Those who believe and follow the path of the Church, must usually oblige and engage in this practice. Young girls as young as six years old were being married off and were obligated to consummate as early as the age of nine. Additionally, another religious obligation is that father of the bride be present at the wedding and consent. In the eyes of religious laws, this makes the marriage "legal". According to the Saudi Daily Shames, in July 2008, the residents in the city of Hail were trying to stop the marriage of 10-year-old girl to a 60-year-old man. The people of Hail feared the young girl would lose her innocence and her father was selling her to her future husband. Although the marriage, did not occur in legal courts, the two were still wed in the eyes of the church (Child bride marriage – Saudi Arabia). As a result, a child's innocence is at risk due to religious beliefs. This forces young children to assume adult roles and responsibilities, completely taking their essence of youth and childhood away. This religious duty to marry by western standards does consider this child as an adult, despite it being socially unacceptable in said countries. This examples further demonstrates that age does not necessarily by western standards make her less of an adult.
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In sum, the overall outlook on adulthood cannot be generalized or standardized. Elements such as economy and environment, ethnicity and culture as well as religion do have an impact on the transition and adulthood as a whole. Economy and environment demonstrates that child can be consider an adult through the medium of provision, while ethnic and culture disparities showcase that rites of passage can turn a 15 year- old- girl to a woman in seconds. Lastly, that the impacts of religious beliefs can strip the innocence of childhood and oblige a girl as young as 6 years old to wed. Notably, we could also note that these elements start early. Children, usually of third world countries, are being targeted early by the assumption that they are defenceless and can be taken advantage of. It seems that the concept of adulthood is more universal than that of childhood. Children of westernized countries, are more protected and looked after. Opportunities to fall victim to these elements are less likely and therefore less standardised and normalized. By the same token, we could also point out that all of these elements, encourage wed lock while completely discouraging education. Studies show that children who start school early have a better chance of success and being well of. A research conducted in the United States declares, "that the inequality that begins before kindergarten lasts a lifetime" (—-). This study focuses on the set backs of children aged between 3 and 4 faces when they are not placed in kindergarten. Families of poor income usually do not place their children in kindergarten at that age, thus increasing disadvantages for their child. All to say, that if developed and powerful countries like the United States, are facing education problem and therefore poverty problem. The correlation between education and poverty is not far-fetched. In fact, many researches have taken interest in this duel between schooling and financial growth. It is therefore not naïve or ignorant, to state that countries who adhere to elements, like environment and economy, religious and ethnic cultural differences are intentionally or unintentionally setting their children up for failure.