Conceptualization of adulthood among male and female Malaysian undergraduate students: A qualitative approach

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that emerging adulthood is culturally constructed and therefore experienced differently across countries. There is a lack of research on this subject in developing and culturally diverse countries, and this is the reason why the transition to adulthood in multi-ethnic Malaysia deserves an empirical inquiry. The aim of this study is to explore the conceptualization of adulthood among Malaysian university students. The data was drawn from group interviews with 21 undergraduate students aged 20–25 from a private university in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Responses were based on two research questions: “What is your definition of adulthood” and “What are the essential criteria for a person to be acknowledged as having attained adulthood?” Results that emerged from the participants’ responses to these questions were analysed, revealing six major themes, namely (i) getting married, (ii) financial independence, (iii) individualism, (iv) culture, (v) emotional maturity, and (vi) social maturity, as the main criteria for determining adulthood. Also evident were contrasting perceptions of adulthood between male and female participants. Women placed more emphasis on emotional maturity, whereas men on social maturity. This study adds to the growing literature examining the perception of adulthood within cultural variations, and further research is warranted in a broader context, especially on the perceptions of non-student participants.