Midwood Argus Polls 7 Students on Gen Z's Slower Path to Adulthood

1 articles · Updated · midwoodargus.com · May 24

Seven Midwood students told The Midwood Argus that Gen Z is not simply refusing to grow up, but reaching traditional adult milestones later than teens did in the 1980s.
Students tied that shift to higher costs, heavier academic pressure, more extracurricular demands and technology that reduces the need—or time—for driving, jobs and in-person socializing.
Several respondents said the decline in smoking, drinking and teen pregnancy reflects better awareness of risks, while delayed dating, work and driving can be a practical tradeoff rather than immaturity.
One student argued Gen Z is more reluctant because adulthood feels intimidating and the future carries a sense of looming failure, highlighting anxiety as a competing explanation.
The responses framed Gen Z less as avoiding adulthood outright than redefining it around today's economic, educational and digital realities.