Has the American Dream rusted into a pipe dream over the past 50 years?

In 1975, nearly half of U.S. adults ages 25 to 34 had moved out of their parental home, got a job, tied the knot and had kids — the most common path to adulthood. Five decades later, less than a quarter of Americans in this age group had experienced the same traditional milestones.

A newly released U.S. Census Bureau working paper explores the societal and economic shifts of younger adults who reached those four primary markers of adulthood.

“Findings suggest that young adults today prioritize economic security over starting a family, reflecting the rising burden of housing, food, gas and other costs,” the paper states.

Over the decades, the most common milestones shifted from importance of a family life to econo

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