Anthropological research on coming of age and “extended youth”: Youth “well-spent” in Serbia

While focusing on the phenomenon of ?extended youth?, this paper presents results anthropological research coming age: classical and contemporary. The questions parameters ?normality? when it comes to ?extending? phases, youth in particular. examining what means be young, emphasises anthro?pological contributions life course research. First all, focuses that highlights concepts seen as universal biological. Moreover, approaches analyses lifecycle customs rites passage. By emphasising classic an?thropological works, such Margaret Mead, shows how ethnographic examples have helped present diversity perception ?ade?quate?, ?normal?, ?good? stages or transitions from one stage another. In addition work special attention is paid Arnold van Gennep, whose passage had a great influence generations Serbian ethnologists anthropologists. Van Gennep?s scheme successive made up pattern (separation, transition/liminality, ag?gregation) has been particularly important context transition into adulthood. Finally, analy?ses young people Serbia perceive their contemporary context. presented are part qualitative study based in-depth interviews conducted 2019 2020. re?sults highlight cultural representations ?normal? transitions, then some manage adulthood order ?well-spent?. con?clusion examines time, expectations constructed local layers autonomy (residential, financial, emotional etc.) that, furthermore, show complexity youth?. questioning mainstream explanations extended an exclusive consequence structural factors political crisis, offers alternative explanation through analysis logic.