The Sociological Theory of Postadolescence

Abstract

The are countless references to the development of a new phase of life between childhood and adulthood (referred to as post-adolescence) in the technical literature of Sociology. Different theoretical models have been developed in Sociology to interpret post-adolescence. After the discussion of the these models, a new model is introduced in this contribution. The forms and "timing" determining how and when young people leave their parents' house is regarded as the most important constitutive characteristic of the post-adolescent phase in this model. It is thereby assumed, that this detachment from the parents' house is dependent upon surrounding macro-structural social conditions.

In this model, the following detachment dimensions are regarded as significant:

- legal dimension
- household dimension
- economic-financial dimension
- social dimension
- emotional dimension

The analysis of the process of detachment based upon these dimensions reveals, that postponed partial detachment, successive detachment, and reversible detachment are all constitutive elements of post-adolescence. The fact, that young people who have reached legal adulthood remain in many respects dependent upon their parents, remains an important facet of post-adolescence. The analysis also reveals, that post-adolescence can not be clearly defined based upon the criteria of age, with regard to "youth" or "adulthood". It is therefore an empirical question, who and how many members of a specific age category of young adults (i.e. 20-25 years or 30 year olds) find themselves in the post-adolescent phase according to the theoretically proven criteria.