Final answer:
Malcolm Knowles assumes a person matures when they attain self-direction, and maturity involves achieving various social and personal milestones, not just reaching a certain age or completing education.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malcolm Knowles assumes that a person matures when they attain self-direction. Maturity is a multifaceted process that is tied to various social and personal milestones rather than a specific age. According to Henig (2010), the milestones commonly associated with adulthood include completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying, and having a child. However, these milestones are not attained at the same pace for everyone, particularly among Millennials whose progression to these milestones may be delayed. Different societies also have varied expectations for when and how individuals should transition to adult roles. In the United States, for example, the push is towards quickly entering college or the workforce, while in other countries such as the UK, taking a gap year is more socially accepted. The answer to the student's question is (b) They attain self-direction. Although legally, adulthood may begin at 18 when a person becomes responsible for themselves, the journey to maturity encompasses achieving self-direction through various life experiences and challenges, not solely dependent on reaching a particular age or attaining educational or career milestones.