What age group is youth? ——Discussion from social cognition to scientific definition
Discussions about the age range of “youth” have frequently become a hot topic in recent years. With social development and changes in demographic structure, there are significant differences in the definitions of "youth" in different fields. This article combines the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to sort out the definition of youth age by various institutions and analyze the social significance behind it.
1. Comparison of the definitions of youth age by various institutions
| Institution/Country | youth age range | According to documents/standards |
|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 15-44 years old | Global Standards for Health Statistics |
| UNESCO | 16-35 years old | Youth Policy Guide |
| Chinese Communist Youth League | 14-28 years old | "Regiment Constitution" stipulates |
| National Bureau of Statistics of China | 15-34 years old | census standards |
| Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan | 15-39 years old | "Youth White Paper" |
| European Commission | 15-29 years old | youth employment program |
2. Recent hot topics on social media
1.The "28-year-old crisis" phenomenon: The 28-year-old upper limit defined by the Chinese Communist Youth League has triggered a lot of discussion, and the Weibo topic #28岁是什么意思# has been read 230 million times.
2.In the context of delayed retirement: Zhihu's hot post "Unemployed at 35, but still a young man?" received 120,000 likes, reflecting age anxiety in the workplace.
3.International Youth Day Data: Douyin’s popular science video “Youth Standards in Different Countries” has been played more than 50 million times, showing the difference in public perception.
3. Age classification from the perspective of scientific research
| Subject area | Characteristics of youth stage | Corresponding age |
|---|---|---|
| developmental psychology | From completing education to establishing a stable career | 18-35 years old |
| Physiology | Bones stop growing and metabolism declines | 20-40 years old |
| brain science | The prefrontal cortex is fully mature | around 25 years old |
| Sociology | Leaving the original family to form a new family | 22-35 years old |
4. Changes in Characteristics of Youth in the New Era
1.Delayed psychological maturity: The popularization of higher education and the postponement of the age of marriage and childbirth have prolonged the psychological "youth period".
2.Economic independence lags: Under the pressure of housing prices, the average age of financial independence for Chinese youth has reached 29 years old (2023 data).
3.Digital native traits: The post-00s generation has entered the youth stage, bringing new consumption and cultural characteristics.
5. Multi-dimensional definition standards suggested by experts
The latest research report of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences proposes the "three-dimensional definition method":
| Dimensions | indicator | Reference value |
|---|---|---|
| biological age | physical function status | 16-35 years old |
| social age | Completion of key life stages | Failure to meet social expectations |
| mental age | self-awareness | Consider yourself in the youth stage |
Conclusion:Youth is not only an age concept, but also a symbol of social vitality. In the context of increasing life expectancy, perhaps we need to understand the concept of "youth" more flexibly, respecting biological laws and paying attention to new changes brought about by social development. As the recent hot topic #ForeverYouthSpirit on the Internet shows, maintaining an open mind and thirst for knowledge are the core of the essence of youth.
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