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For many in late 20s, 30s, life is good, Clark poll says
By Susan Spencer TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
Rainy M. Logan, 29, enjoys her job tutoring English-language learners. And as she approaches 30, she is building her career by working toward a master's degree in speech and language pathology.
Her husband, Milo, 31, is happy living in the moment, playing in a band, Eye Witness, and working in retail.
Both value doing meaningful work more than climbing the corporate ladder. They are committed to their spouse and are optimistic about their future. They're defining success on their own terms.
The West Boylston couple are emblematic of their post-college generation, according to the recently released Clark University Poll of Established Adults. The results of interviews conducted with 1,011 people ages 25 to 39 nationwide, directed by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, research professor of psychology, and co-authored by doctoral student Joseph R. Schwab, found that the prolonged stage of emerging adulthood, ages 18 to 29, eventually produces fairly contented grown-ups.
The 2014 survey of established adults follows the Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults, released in 2012, and the Clark University Poll of Parents of Emerging Adults in 2013.
More than 70 percent of 25- to-39-year-olds surveyed felt they have a great deal of freedom and said this time of life was fun and exciting. It's also a stressful time, according to more than 60 percent of respondents.
Their love lives are in pretty good shape: Three out of four are in a close relationship, with slightly more than half married. Among those in committed relationships, 87 percent agreed they had found their soul mate.
Four out of five said it is important to have a job that does some good in the world and nearly as many, 78 percent, said it is more important to them to enjoy their job than to make a lot of money.
The ideal job remains elusive for many, however. Half have not been able to find the kind of job that they really want, and more than half, 56 percent, have not made as much progress in their career as they would have hoped by now, according to the poll.
The research also found that education is critical to career growth in the slowly recovering economy, which still leaves 10 percent of established adults unemployed. Seventy percent expected to get additional education at some point.
Yet financial hurdles are high for continuing education, with 43 percent of those surveyed saying they haven't been able to find enough financial support to get the education they need.
"Our economy is in the midst of a massive shift. This is an economy that rewards education more than ever," Mr. Arnett said in an interview. "It means we're wasting a lot of potential of young people who can't afford higher education."
In spite of the substantial obstacles to paying for education, this generation remains focused on spending their time meaningfully.
"I just want to be doing something that I feel has a purpose. I can't do a desk job that I don't feel is important," Ms. Logan said. "I've really never looked at money as a motivator."
Mr. Logan said music has always been important to him. He attended colleges in towns he selected for their good music scenes — Quinsigamond Community College, Northeastern University and Worcester State University. He said, however, that "school didn't really work out for me."
Mr. Logan continued: "For me, happiness is my No.1 goal and I like to be in control. Eventually I'd like to start my own business. I know money makes the world go 'round, but it's not that important."
The Logans, who don't have children and aren't planning any, said that while higher education is vital, it may fast become a luxury.
"Our generation could be the last to afford college," Mr. Logan said.
Ben Trussell, 25, of Worcester, is also doing what he had envisioned, playing in a band, called Comrades, and working as a landscaper.
He attended QCC for one year and said he may go back for more education, but for now he's making a good income and is content.
"I think our generation is changing the norm of school and career, and the time that it happens in," Mr. Trussell said.
He said he still bumps up against social expectations for success. But he continues on his own path. "Having faith you're on the right track, working hard and doing something you love," he said.
The Clark survey also found that having children brought considerable joy. One-third of respondents age 25 to 29 and two-thirds of those 30 to 39 were parents.
"One of the surprises to me was how positive my sample was about parenthood," Mr. Arnett said. "It's a time when people are building their careers and having young children and they're under financial stress. But there's more joy."
Eighty-nine percent said parenthood brought more meaning to life and 68 percent reported that being a parent resulted in a stronger relationship with their spouse or partner. Only 22 percent said parenthood meant not being as close to their spouse or partner and 15 percent said life with kids was "less fun."
Christine C. Neslusan, 37, of Sturbridge, a married mother of three children, ages 6, 4½ and 1½, said, "I'm happy. It certainly has changed our lives, but honestly for the positive."
Ms. Neslusan considers herself a stay-at-home mom although she works part time. She previously worked for 10 years managing corporate fitness and wellness programs, after receiving a bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
She thinks about returning to work full time after her youngest is in school. "It has to be something value-added besides dollars," she said. "It would have to be something I'm passionate about that I could bring back to the family."
Another Sturbridge mom, Erin Kirschner, 39, said she's doing her "dream job" raising three boys, ages 10, 13 and 15. She and her husband are in the process of adopting a young child, too.
A former preschool teacher with an education degree, Ms. Kirschner stayed home full time with her children until her youngest was 3, when she took a part-time job primarily in child care.
"I know that my husband would love for me to make more money down the road, but I love what I'm doing," Ms. Kirschner said.
Despite an uncertain economy, financial challenges and hectic lives, Mr. Arnett said the survey found a lot of optimism among established adults.
Seventy-seven percent agreed that at this time of life, it still seems like anything is possible. Sixty-nine percent believed that overall, their life will be better than their parents' lives have been.
"I see good things for us," Mr. Logan said. "We know what we want out of life and happiness is our main goal."
"For us, we're completely optimistic," Ms. Logan agreed. "Overall, for the entire country, we're doomed. But for our little bubble, I'm optimistic."
Mr. Arnett said, "They get criticized for that (optimism), but I think it's a good thing. You have to be hopeful to keep striving forward."
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