Life Course Markers, Independence from Parents and Locus of Control among Young Adults in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia

Peter McDonald, Australian National University
Iwu D. Utomo, Australian National University
Anna Reimondos, Australian National University

The transition to adulthood is marked by the experience of particular life course events such as leaving home, marrying or becoming a parent. In addition to these objective markers of adulthood, research has also emphasized the importance of more psychological aspects of the transition to adulthood, including subjective indicators such as a sense of autonomy and self-control. Using data from the Greater Jakarta Transition to Adulthood Survey conducted in 2010 we examine the experience of transition to adulthood, among 3006 young adults aged 20-34. We investigate the pattern of entry into adulthood as measured by four markers: leaving home, entering the labour force, marrying and becoming a parent. We then examine the degree of independence young adults feel that they have from their parents, and their feelings of self-efficacy and locus of control. Finally we look at the relationship between these objective and subjective markers of adulthood.