How Today's Society Has Influenced or Changed the Concept of the Social Clock in Early Adulthood

Even a cursory view of statistics of the lifestyles of young adults of the 1960's as compared to today in the U.S. reveals just how much the concept of the social clock has changed. For instance, in 1960, marrying couples were usually younger than 21 for women and 23 for men. In 2004, those ages were 25 and 27, respectively. In 1960, only five percent of adults cohabitated, but in 2004, 32 percent were living together as unmarried couples. These percentages repeat themselves for the number of children born out of wedlock during these years (Popenoe & Whitehead, 2004). These changes in societal expectations have altered the order and timing of events in today's social clock, especially for women. According to psychologist Ravenna Helson, today's woman even has more than one social clock to choose from (Feldman, 2008).

A Biblical Basis for the Concept of the Social Clock

The Bible does speak to the passage of time throughout the lifespan (Psalm 90:10, 139:16, New American Standard Bible), even stating that there are instances when certain life events are appropriate (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Genesis 2:24), but it does not list specific ages or orders for life events, except in the cases of circumcision (Genesis 17:12, Leviticus 12:3, Luke 2:21), priestly responsibilities (Numbers 4), and marriage preceding childbirth (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4). Given the ages of antediluvian peoples at death (Genesis 5), versus the expected lifespan in David's time (Psalm 90:10) and beyond, it would seem that social clocks underwent tremendous change during the time frame of the writing of the Bible.

References

Feldman, R. S. (2008). Development across the life span. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Popenoe, D., & Whitehead, B. D. (2004). The state of our unions, 2004. Piscataway, NJ: The

National Marriage Project.