‘Adulthood’ can wait until 26 say modern Britons

MODERN Britons do not lay claim to full adulthood until they reach 26 – five years later than the equivalent generation 50 years ago, a study claims.

And the research also found that the meaning of adulthood has considerably changed.

Being an adult now means doing your own washing, remembering your parents’ birthdays and keeping a plant alive, the study found.

Milestones

This is in contrast to more weighty responsibilities faced half a century ago, when getting married, paying the bills and providing for a family were the milestones of adulthood.

And while the old adage says life begins at 40, most people would choose to remain at the age of 29 if they could.

Sipping a glass of wine, rather than a shot of spirits, and holding onto a relationship for longer than six months are also signs of being a fully-fledged adult in 2017, according to the inter-generational survey of 1,500 adults by Kinder Bueno.

A spokesman said: “Our research suggests that growingup milestones have moved on.

“Having a professional email address, an up-to-date CV and watching box sets on a Friday night, rather than going to the pub, are all signs you’ve mastered ‘adulting’ in 2017.”

However, three in 10 young adults admitted to still calling parents for help with everyday tasks such as washing clothes and cooking and seven in 10 are unable to change a car tyre.

The research also revealed two thirds of adults think life is too short to be sensible all the time and a quarter insisted their parents were no more sensible when they were young.

However, the age we leave the family home has stayed the same, with most reaching this milestone at the age of 21.