Fun fact: The average age for moving out of the parental home in India has increased by nearly five years in the past two decades—and it’s not just about money.
You turn 18, get a job, move out, get married, buy a house, and raise a family—right? That’s the traditional adulthood checklist. But if you ask many in Gen Z, they might raise an eyebrow and say, “Wait… all of that? Right now?” In a world where timelines are being rewritten, a new life stage has emerged: the “Almost Adult.” Somewhere between teenage uncertainty and full-fledged grown-up life, Gen Z is carving out a space to pause, reflect, explore—and challenge everything we thought adulthood was supposed to be.
Who Are the ‘Almost Adults’?
They’re 22 but still figuring out their careers.
They pay bills but still live with their parents.
They advocate for mental health but struggle with therapy costs.
They crave independence but are anxious about loneliness.
The “Almost Adult” is not a failure to launch—it’s a conscious recalibration of what it means to be grown-up. This group doesn’t reject responsibility; it redefines it.
Psychologist Dr. Jean Twenge, a leading expert on generational trends, points out that Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) is coming of age amidst financial instability, climate-related fears, mounting student debt, and constant pressure to present flawlessly curated lives on social media. In this climate, it’s no wonder that traditional adulthood feels less like a milestone and more like a minefield.
The Economic Earthquake Behind the Delay
Let’s start with the obvious: money.
According to a recent study by the Pew Research Centre, a record number of young adults are living with their parents—not just in India, but across the globe. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and the gig economy have made financial independence a far more distant goal. In metros like Mumbai or Bengaluru, even a decent entry-level job rarely covers rent, groceries, and mental stability.
Freelancing may offer flexibility, but it comes without pensions, insurance, or a consistent paycheck. Gen Z isn’t lazy—they’re just economically cornered.
Startups like CRED (a fintech company helping users manage credit card payments) and Zerodha (a discount brokerage firm) may glamorise the hustle, but not everyone has the bandwidth to become a “20-something CEO.” The startup dream often overshadows the silent grind of gig workers, delivery agents, and freelance coders who are building patchwork careers in a system that rarely provides safety nets.
When Adulthood Is a Spectrum, Not a Switch
In the past, adulthood was marked by clear milestones: marriage, children, homeownership. Today, those milestones are optional—and often out of reach. For many in Gen Z, the shift isn’t just financial; it’s philosophical.
Being an adult isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about knowing yourself. And for that, Gen Z is investing time in self-discovery: therapy, self-help podcasts, online courses, solo travel, creative side hustles. They are choosing “becoming” over “being.”
Social media trends reflect this, too. The “soft life” aesthetic on Instagram and YouTube champions slow mornings, mental wellness, saying no to burnout—and yes, even prioritizing naps over networking.
Case Study: Almost Adults of Urban India
Take Sneha, 24, a postgraduate student in Delhi. She earns through freelance writing, lives with her parents, and attends therapy sessions virtually every Sunday.
“I don’t feel like a full adult,” she says, laughing. “I’m emotionally independent but financially tethered. Is that adulthood or its beta version?”
Or consider Aarav, a 26-year-old who quit his high-paying corporate job in Gurugram to travel across India on a budget.
“I realised I was chasing goals that weren’t mine,” he says. “Adulthood, for me, is learning how to say ‘this doesn’t work for me’—even if it’s unconventional.”
Stories like theirs are not exceptions; they are the new norm.
The Psychology of Being ‘In-Between’
The term “emerging adulthood” was coined by psychologist Jeffrey Jensen Arnett to describe this very phase—a liminal space between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood. But Gen Z’s version takes it further. It’s not just transitional; it’s transformational.
There’s greater awareness around therapy, boundaries, and self-regulation. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, the number of Gen Z individuals seeking mental health support has surged in recent years—indicating not fragility, but a healthy acknowledgment of complexity.
This generation isn’t avoiding adulthood; it’s negotiating it on its own terms.
Redefining Success and Settling Late
The conventional idea of success—by 30, you should “have it all”—is being questioned. Gen Z measures success less in bank balances and more in balance itself. Emotional intelligence, sustainable lifestyles, and ethical careers—these are the new markers of adulthood.
And marriage? Delayed. Kids? Maybe. Buying a house? Not unless the down payment can be split with three roommates and a startup sponsor.
But here’s the thing: postponement doesn’t mean paralysis. It means preparation. Choosing not to “settle down” until you know who you’re settling into is a radical act of maturity.
A Cultural Shift, Not a Crisis
Critics often paint Gen Z as indecisive, immature, or overly sensitive. But maybe they’re just more honest.
Previous generations coped with broken systems by conforming. Gen Z is choosing to pause, process, and (when possible) protest. From climate marches to LGBTQ+ rights to workplace boundaries, this generation isn’t waiting for permission to redefine what matters.
Even institutions are adjusting. Universities are offering gap year options, employers are focusing on mental wellness, and brands are embracing “imperfect” adulthood in their messaging.
It’s not a crisis—it’s a cultural course correction.
Conclusion: Adulthood 2.0
The rise of the “Almost Adult” isn’t the end of adulthood—it’s its evolution.
Gen Z is not rejecting adulthood. They are rebuilding it with intention, vulnerability, and resilience. And that version might just be stronger than anything that came before.
So if you see a 25-year-old crying in a café, freelancing in their pyjamas, or still sharing rent with parents—it’s not failure. It’s a redefinition. They’re not stuck. They’re staging a quiet revolution.
Welcome to Adulthood 2.0. The version with more patience, more therapy, and fewer checkboxes.
Author’s Note:
As someone who once believed adulthood began the day you got a job or paid a bill, I now see it more as a mosaic—crafted over time, with pieces of trial, error, courage, and clarity. Let’s give Gen Z the space—and the respect—to assemble theirs.
G.C., Ecosociosphere contributor.
