Can't They Make It on Their Own?

A compelling exploration of the challenges facing today's young adults and the urgent need for a new approach to supporting them

In her groundbreaking book, Can't They Make It on Their Own?, Kathleen Kelley Reardon argues that we are facing a crisis in the lives of young adults. Despite being better educated and more ambitious than ever before, they are struggling to find jobs, afford housing, and build stable relationships. As a result, they are increasingly dependent on their parents for financial and emotional support.

Reardon draws on her extensive research and interviews with young adults, parents, and experts to paint a vivid picture of the challenges facing this generation. She argues that the traditional model of adulthood is no longer working and that we need to create a new path for young people to achieve success.

Why are young adults struggling?

There are a number of factors that are contributing to the challenges facing young adults today. These include:

• The rising cost of living. The cost of housing, education, and healthcare has skyrocketed in recent years, making it difficult for young people to afford to live on their own.
• The decline of traditional jobs. The job market has changed dramatically in recent years, with many traditional jobs being replaced by technology. This has made it difficult for young people to find jobs that pay a living wage.
• The increasing competition for jobs. The global economy has created a more competitive job market, with young people from all over the world competing for the same jobs.
• The changing nature of relationships. The traditional model of marriage and family has changed dramatically in recent years, with more people choosing to live together or have children outside of marriage. This has made it more difficult for young people to find stable relationships.

What can we do to help young adults?

Reardon argues that we need to create a new path for young people to achieve success. This includes:

• Making college more affordable. The cost of college has become a major barrier to success for young people. We need to make college more affordable so that more people can have the opportunity to get a higher education.
• Creating more jobs. We need to create more jobs that pay a living wage so that young people can afford to live on their own.
• Providing more support for young adults. We need to provide more support for young adults as they transition to adulthood. This includes providing them with financial assistance, housing assistance, and counseling.

A call to action

Reardon's book is a call to action for all of us to do more to help young adults. We need to create a society that is more supportive of young people and that gives them the opportunity to achieve success.

Conclusion

Can't They Make It on Their Own? is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of young adults. Reardon's book provides a powerful wake-up call about the challenges facing this generation and offers a clear path forward for creating a more supportive society.