Transition to Adulthood

This fact sheet considers differences in behaviors and outcomes between young men and young women as they transition to adulthood. It also considers whether differences between young men and young women are related to the fact that some women are caring for children.

The transition to adulthood can be particularly challenging for youth growing up in distressed neighbor-hoods. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, this fact sheet compares the adolescent risk behaviors and young adult outcomes of youth from distressed neighborhoods with those of youth from non-distressed neighborhoods. [4 PDF pages]

Nick and Alex became fast friends after sitting next to each other in algebra class on the first day of ninth grade. Since then, they have eaten lunch together every day, chatting about their classes, sports, and their favorite video games.

Even though Anthony lives in a neighborhood with a lot of crime and gang violence, he usually manages to stay out of trouble.  He plays football on his high school team and with the guidance and support of his coach, has kept his grades up and his eye on the future.  But then an argument at p

This brief gathers and synthesizes statistics and research related to risks for boys across multiple domains, identifies successful interventions, and offers concrete suggestions for how caring community members can help support boys in their adolescence and as they transition to adulthood.

All through elementary school, Michael couldn’t sit still in class and frequently interrupted his teachers.  He never seemed to be able to focus long enough to get his work done.  His grades suffered.  Now in the sixth grade, he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder