In stark contrast with the paths open to middle- and upper-class young people, early emancipation is common among those from low socio-economic strata. In the higher strata, socialization and the availability of material resources facilitate the adoption of patterns of deferred gratification that favour putting off entering the labour market, starting a family or becoming a parent. This is seen more clearly in figures 1.12 and 1.13, which provide a snapshot of the major differences in the emancipation paths followed by men and women in different social strata according to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the country in question.