Coming of Age in Appalachia, Emerging or Expedited Adulthood?

We examine the transition to adulthood in a poor, white, rural community Appalachia. Young adults come of age context persistent poverty, economic decline, an ongoing opioid and addiction crisis, strong norms about family work bolstered by religious institutions. For low-income young this community, stage life course is both expedited emerging. Marriage childbearing are expedited, frequently occurring late teens or early twenties. However, other adult markers—such as stable employment, pursuing education, leaving parental home—are often slow emerge usually only tentatively achieved. This pattern contrast middle-class community.