France Life Stages: Coming of Age
Educational Markers
Society generally considers young people to have reached adulthood at the age of 18. The French celebrate rites of passage for boys and girls through different stages of the education system.
Some of the difficulties young people encounter in their mid- to late teenage years include confronting their own sexuality, having to face the emotional and financial loss of moving out of their parental home, defining their role in society, and striking out a path of their own. Many youngsters also seek employment and attempt to become financially independent of their parents during this period.
School Then Work
French parents expect children to contribute to the family income and maintenance only after the completion of their secondary education. Many children, however, find jobs and move out of their parental home, sometimes expecting the parents to help them out when in need. Children who move out still frequently visit their parents on weekends.
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