Final answer:
From a current sociological perspective in the U.S., adulthood is often marked by achieving certain social milestones which are being reached at older ages today than in the past, thus indicating that individuals reach adulthood later in life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defining Adulthood in Current Sociological Perspective
Viewing adulthood from a current sociological perspective in the United States, the conclusion that individuals reach adulthood later today than in earlier points in history is largely accurate. The traditional social milestones like completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying, and having a child, which have historically been linked with achieving adulthood, are being attained at older ages by Millennials compared to previous generations. These milestones are taking longer to achieve, for a variety of reasons including economic and cultural changes. Therefore, while the legal age of adulthood is 18 when a person becomes responsible for themselves, the sociological attainment of adulthood is often recognized through these other milestones, which now occur later in life.
Adulthood has been categorized into different stages: early adulthood, middle adulthood, and old age, recognizing the changes that occur over this period. However, the specific age at which someone is considered to have reached adulthood can fluctitate depending on various factors, such as cultural norms, legal definitions, and individual circumstances.