The Waithood Phenomenon in Africa. Impacts and Sustainable Solutions

Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject Sociology - Age and Aging, University of Lagos, course: Research and Public Policy, language: English, abstract: Waithood (i.e. waiting for adulthood) is a multidimensional transition, which is more than just getting a job. It also involves other areas of lifelong access to learning opportunities, family formation, and civic participation. Young people in the dilemma of Waithood are incapable of becoming social adults and sadly many will never attain the economic autonomy that allows them to partake in the responsibilities that defines adulthood.

On the one hand, young people are no longer children in need of care, but on the other, they are still unable to become independent adults. While chronological age defines them as adults, socially they are not recognized as such. Rather than define youth on the basis of age categories (15-25 or 15-35 ), they are increasing being defined by social expectations and responsibilities .