Study charts the age you’re most likely to experience major life events

One third of respondents only keep social media profiles to preserve memories

Richard Jenkins
Friday 14 June 2019 15:16 BST
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

UK couples are an average of 26 years old when they get married and buy their first homes at 27, a new poll claims.

A detailed study of 2,000 adults found the ages at which major life events are most likely to happen, with your first kiss at 15 and getting your first real boyfriend or girlfriend at 17.

Sadly, this is followed by a first heartbreak at the age of 18.

Music fans will attend their first gig at the age of 16, while thrill-seekers will experience their first roller-coaster ride when they are just 12.

The study also found that nearly three quarters of respondents document special life events with photos or videos, with 36 percent reporting they spend hours scrolling back through social media to re-live good times.

“Many of us can still remember big life events, even if they happened decades ago,” said Melissa Bentley, marketing manager for Brioche Pasquier, which commissioned the study.

“First loves, first jobs, and our first beers are all imprinted on our memories – even if sometimes we can’t remember where our glasses are today.

“But even though memory is a great way of capturing these times, having them in photos and videos is really great to relive some of the key moments of our lives.”

It also emerged one in three feel their best memory was the birth of their first child – with just one in ten selecting their wedding day.

Another 46 percent of those polled spend “a lot” of time reminiscing about the past.

Correspondingly, nearly one third of respondents said they only keep social media profiles on Facebook because of the photos, videos and other memories.

Three quarters of people reportedly regret not keeping more solid evidence from special events in their lives so far.


Key Life Events – By Age

Make first friend – 5

Learn to ride a bike – 7

Learn to swim – 8

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Join a sports team – 11

Go on a roller-coaster – 12

Fly on a plane – 14

Break a bone for the first time – 14

First kiss – 15

First concert – 16

Go on first date – 17

First “real” partner – 17

First part-time job – 17

Fall in love – 18

Experience heartbreak – 18

First full-time job – 19

Decide on job/career – 20

First pay-rise – 20

Go to university – 20

Go on first holiday without parents – 20

Pass driving test – 21

Move out of parents home – 21

First road trip with friends – 21

Learn how to iron clothes – 23

Learn to cook – 23

Own first car – 23

First promotion – 23

Quit a full-time job for the first time – 23

Get fired – 24

Learn to garden – 24

Get first credit card – 24

Dr Jay Watts: Why it’s impossible in our hostile society for lifestyle tips to cure the UK’s out of control stress

Get engaged – 25

Get married – 26

Mow own lawn – 26

Find sense of style – 26

Get own pet – 26

Buy first house – 27

Host first dinner party – 27

Become an uncle or aunt – 27

Have first child – 28

Start a business – 30

Upgrade to a bigger house from first home – 31

SWNS

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in