The Changing Transitions to Adulthood across Southeast Asia: A Census Approach to Cross-National Comparisons. Issue 1 (March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nahar, Quamrun; Xenos, Peter; Abalos, Jeofrey
• Editors: Yeung, Wei-Jun Jean; Alipio, Cheryll; Furstenberg, Frank F.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Volume 646:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Subjects: transition to adulthood -- entropy analysis -- diversity -- cross-national comparison -- transitional marker; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/0002716212469921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7162

Abstract

Using data from the national censuses of five Southeast Asian countries, this article examines entropy-based measures of the heterogeneity in a set of five markers of the transition to adulthood. Our results suggest that the transition to adulthood is becoming increasingly complex over time in all five countries; complexity is greatest for females, and important cross-national differences in heterogeneity levels and timing persist when underlying patterns of economic transformation are considered. In light of these persistent cross-national differences, we suggest that our census-based analysis should be complemented with case studies of these countries that focus on cultural or institutional influences. Results related to the importance of schooling suggest that cross-national comparisons of educational institutions would be fruitful.