Book excerpt: Is adulthood in crisis? Why are so many people rejecting the traditional path of marriage, mortgage and a fast-track career? Are we facing an immaturity epidemic? In this provocative, humorous and persuasive book, Kate Crawford takes a close look at the conventional packaging of adulthood. The idealised picture of the wedding ring, picket fence and career-for-life no longer reflects how a growing number of Australians live. Commentators wring their hands over commitment-phobic, apolitical "adultescents" permanently plugged into iPods, and decry the loss of values. But they're missing the larger picture. The way we work, find homes, form families and engage in politics and culture has radically transformed. Crawford argues that it's time the debates on social values recognised the variety of ways that we choose to live. Equal parts media critique and manifesto, Adult Themes is an inspiring call to arms for those who know that being "adult" goes beyond home renovation, getting hitched and a gold watch on retirement. This book explodes the generational stereotypes and myths of perpetual adolescence to reveal the economic and cultural shifts that affect us all.