Transition to adulthood in Latin America: 1960s-2010s

Transição para a vida adulta na América Latina: 1960-2010

Transición a la adultez en América Latina 1960-2010

Abstract

Multidimensional discussion about transition to adulthood is an incipient theme in Latin America. This paper seeks to describe and characterize the process of change in the transition of men and women in the region between the 1960s and 2010's. Using census data from IPUMS-International for 15 Latin American countries, we calculate the mean ages at transition to adulthood, at entering the labor market, at first union, and at first birth. We concluded there was a process of postponing transition to adulthood, although much stronger for males than for females, which we attribute to the events linked to the transition of each group. With these results, we hope to encourage further research into transition to adulthood in Latin America.

Key words
Transition to adulthood; Latin American youth; Mean age at entry in the labor market; Mean age at the first union; Mean age at the first birth