When Do We Truly Become Adults? -- On Parents, Loss, and the Meaning of Growing Up --

This essay explores the question of when people truly become adults. While adulthood is commonly associated with age, independence, and responsibility, it considers whether losing a parent may represent a deeper turning point. For many people, parents are among those who understand and accept them regardless of their achievements or social standing. Even as adults, we remain our parents' children. What changes when that relationship can no longer exist in the living world? Rather than offering a definitive answer, this essay reflects on the relationship between loss, unconditional acceptance, and the meaning of growing up.