Diversity in Transitions to Adulthood: Role Structures and Gender Role Attitudes among Youth Across Seven Countries

This study investigates the transition to adulthood among youth aged 13–29 across seven countries—South Korea, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Sweden—using data from the International Survey on Youth Attitudes 2018. By integrating welfare regime theory with the concept of “compressed modernity,” the analysis highlights how East Asia’s rapid societal transformations produce distinct patterns compared to Western contexts. The findings reveal significant cross-national variations: East Asian countries exhibit delayed independence and marriage due to tensions between traditional familial norms and modern aspirations, while Western countries show earlier transitions despite structural constraints perpetuating traditional gender roles. Sweden’s progressive welfare policies exemplify the potential for institutional support to foster gender equality. This study provides a comparative framework bridging East Asian and Western perspectives, offering insights into how institutional and cultural dynamics shape youth transitions and informing policies to support equitable pathways to adulthood.