Welcome to adulthood. A recent Associated Press series reported on a poll of American young people and their attitudes on various topics. One finding of the poll is that young people don’t rely on money for happiness; only 1 percent of the respondents said money is the thing that gives them the most joy. Topping their list was family and friends, followed by God, pets and pastimes like listening to music.

That’s good news. Like many adults, they’ve already learned that money doesn’t buy happiness. But, also like adults, they were starting to have some ambivalent feelings about money and the hold it has on their lives. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but a lack of money can produce a lot of stress.

Interestingly, the AP series was running about the same time Kansas University students were moving back to campus. Photos in the Journal-World showed students and their families laden with electronic gear and other “necessities” of dorm life. Carts were loaded with computers, mini refrigerators, microwaves and television sets. Young people may not think that money is important, but someone is paying for all the gadgets they think they can’t live without.

Students are bringing so many electronic items with them, in fact, that it is straining the wiring systems in some university housing. Scholarship halls and other housing built 50 or more years ago weren’t designed to meet current demands. A story in Tuesday’s Journal-World listed the buildings slated for electrical work to try to keep up with the demand.

Students are wise to understand that there are more important things than money, but they also come from a sheltered perspective. For the most part, young people haven’t yet faced the full reality of supporting their own lifestyles; parents take care of that for them.

Predictably, older respondents to the AP poll were more concerned about money than their younger counterparts. Four of 10 of those ages 21 to 24 cited money as their major problem, 20 times more than those in the 13-15 age group. Reality apparently has set in for the older respondents.

Not putting money at the top of the happiness is a healthy attitude, but young people’s views on money probably will change as they mature. One 18-year-old, who was facing some money problems after getting a car two years ago, seemed to have the right balance. “If I don’t get rich,” she said, “I won’t complain, but it’s always nice to have money.”