The Young Adult's Path To Independence

Founder and Director of Milestones for Young Adults in Idaho Pam Broker talked to Lon Woodbury and Liz McGhee on L.A. Talk Radio. She discussed exactly what young adults have to do to mature into responsible adults. The host of the program, Lon Woodbury is the founder of Woodbury Reports. He has assisted family and teens since 1984, and his co-host Elizabeth McGhee , who is the Director of Admissions and Reference Relations at Sandhill Youngster Development Facility, has over 19 years of professional consulting experience. The talk radio show, Parent Choices for Struggling Teens is sponsored by Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska.

About Pamela Broker

Pamela Broker is the owner and Executive Director of Milestones for Young Adults, a young adult transition program. Having worked with teens, young adults and their families for numerous years, Pamela has worked at six different programs in the Northwest as the Admissions Director before founding Milestones.

Challenges on the Young Adult's Path to Independence

The young adult's path to self-reliance in North America is rife with troubles. The classic path to maturity--which is working, getting married, raising children, and contributing to culture-- is increasingly challenging for today's youths. There are numerous reasons for this dilemma. One is society's impact. It takes longer to get a great education and earn professional credentials. Additionally, most entry level work scarcely pays for the cost of food and shelter and life's necessities. Two is the impact of telecommunication devices. It's possible for a kid to have their needs met vicariously through the Web. Three are over-functioning moms and dads, who are doing everything for their kids. Four are youngster having emotional issues like learning disorders,debilitating physical conditions or addictions and dependencies. However, Pamela also thought that a big part of the problem could just be the youngster's hesitation to leave home. "They are comfortable where they are," she pointed out. "Why would they try to do something completely different? They get money by asking for it, a roof over their head, a cozy bed, and delicious meals.".

Pamela provided a number of pointers for parents: offer children bottom line ordinances, allow them to play the game of life, and permit them to learn from their mistakes if they run out of money. She recommended that parents make it clear to their kids that their child's mayhem is not the parent's. She outlined how parents could get external help from their regional community, from teachers, therapists, and life coaches, and from organizations, groups, and companies devoted to helping young people develop into responsible adults.

Conclusion

The discussion covered issues like why young adults are floundering in life and experiencing a "failure to launch." It also covered the negative impact of helicopter parents, the influence of telecommunication technology, and the increasing complexity and alienation experienced in modern society. Finally, it touched on how children's brains don't fully develop until they are twenty-five years old, how parenting has changed over the decades, and how parents can take practical steps to make their children take responsibility for their own lives.