Millennials don’t act like adults until they are 30 (or even 40), research finds

Previous generations thought of themselves as adults by the time they were 22 or 23 – but for millennials, that moment comes much, much later.

Many millennials don’t act like adults until 30 – and some don’t live a ‘grown up’ lifestyle until the age of 40.

Many youngsters have delayed moving out of their parents’ home, and put off getting jobs – driven in part by the global economic downturn, but in part by the tolerance of their parents.

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David Poltrack of CBS said that while the idea is ‘controversial,’ ‘Their baby boomer parents have really coddled them. They’ve made it too good for them. Why would you leave?’

Poltrack discussed the issue after a three-year research project with Nielsen, aimed at targeting advertising at younger people.

Poltrack defines adulthood as ‘someone who has moved out of their parents’ home, has a job, and pays their own bills.’

He says, All previous generations would have probably said 22 or 23.’

Millennials are people born between 1979 and 1995 – people born after 1995 are ‘Generation Z’, Poltrack says.