Psychologist gives kids official permission not to grow up

In his newly revised parent-help book, Temple psychologist Laurence Steinberg extends the "adolescent" label through age 25. According to Steinberg, advances in brain imaging have let neuroscientists study adolescents much more closely — and determine that the prefrontal cortex, which houses complex decision-making, isn't fully developed until the mid-20s. At the same time, the recession has more kids holed up in Mom's basement playing Xbox: "Clearly, it's harder in this economy to transition to adulthood — to get a job, pay for a residence, get married," he says.
April 1, 2011 | Philadelphia Magazine