Journey to Adulthood

This book is the first scientific publication on transition to adulthood in East Asia with most chapters utilizing a longitudinal panel dataset of Taiwanese youth from 2000 to 2018 (i.e., from age 14 to 32). Enabled by systematic analyses on family formation process, school to work transition, marriage and family dynamics, this book portrays typical growth trajectories of contemporary youths in East Asia, where they face tremendous challenges in the process of transition to adulthood, especially in their relationships with parents as well as with the market economy and social normative expectations about their material achievement, family formation and childbearing. Findings delineate the interplay of resources and norms during their journey to adulthood, and advance theory-informed interpretations and provisions of the future experiences of youths in East Asia. Chapters from Japan, South Korea and China are added to bring most recent research in this region for readers with comparative interests. An essential reference work for researchers with an interest in East Asia and Youth Studies.