volwassenwording

Volwassenwording is a Dutch term that refers to the process of becoming an adult, including the acquisition of independence, responsibility, and a mature sense of self. The word combines volwassen (adult or mature) with wording (the act or process of becoming), and it is used in both everyday language and more formal discussions about development and life transitions.

In usage, volwassenwording appears in sociological, educational, and policy contexts to describe the period between late adolescence and early adulthood when individuals take on greater autonomy. The concept is often discussed alongside related ideas such as emerging adulthood, a scholarly term that covers late teens through the twenties, during which identity exploration, instability, and gradual assumption of adult roles are common. The informal English parallèle often used is adulting, referring to practical, everyday responsibilities.

Key aspects commonly associated with volwassenwording include financial independence, stable housing or living arrangements, ongoing employment or higher education, the ability to make long-term plans, and developing emotional regulation and responsibility in relationships and family life. The process is highly variable and influenced by cultural norms, socioeconomic status, education, and local policy, so there is no single age or milestone that defines adulthood.

Critiques of the concept note that emphasizing facial milestones can overlook interdependent or communal aspects of adulthood and can place undue pressure on individuals to appear self-sufficient. As a descriptive term, volwassenwording remains a flexible lens for examining how societies organize and recognize the transition to adult life.