Monday, September 2, 2013

One Big Happy Family

Living at home with your parents after you've become an adult is a major social stigma in the United States, a sign that you can't achieve financial independence  - but according to census data, more young adults live with parents. With the exorbitant cost of living in some places outpacing the starting salaries of many, the practicality of free board with family has become more and more appealing to new adults trying to succeed in today's economy. In other countries, the rate is much higher as places like Canada or Italy (really just half of Europe), with around 40% of young adults living with their families. The social stigma in these countries isn't there unlike in America, and even less so in Asian parents where offspring are expected to help out with their families once they reach a working age. The trend is expected to continue in America even as the economy recovers, as social rules relax.
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4 comments:

Unknown said...

I think this trend of more young adults living with their parents is merely a facet of Americans trying to adapt to their economic situation. The stigma has certainly changed over time and I agree with Ms. Tsuong from the article that living at home can be an "investment in the future." Furthermore, I don't think the social stigma on this particular issue is as strong of a motivator as economic hardship, and I think young Americans today would rather be safe than sorry, especially when looking at the unemployment rate. A lot of social change today is linked with the economic situation, and this particular article reminds me of the influx of articles of changes in roles of the typical American family. I've noticed more articles talking about stay home dads as well as families who choose not to have children. These examples may be a bit of stretch, but I think they all have ties to economic issues, and all these situations, including young adults living with their parents, is a part of us attempting to adapt to our current economic state. While I don't think they'll ever become the "social norm," I do think the trend will continue to rise.

September 2, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Brianne Felsher said...

Susan brings up a good point: this change in young adults living at home is part of a bigger societal change. I don't think that you are stretching the point.
In terms of the social stigma, it is interesting how much of an effect wording can make. Young adults living with their parents may make the young adults seem irresponsible. However, elderly parents living with their children seems much more acceptable. I don't think we have the right to judge whether or not people live at home, but we do have the right to analyze the effect on the economy and on society.

September 2, 2013 at 8:39 PM
Anonymous said...

I believe that the rising number of young adults living at home reflects the economic pressures that is affecting them and their families. The many young adults in college and grad schools are currently facing the economic hardships of both tuition and board or rent. By the end of their education years, they have to deal with their loans, as well as trying to find a job. Because of this, it significantly benefits them to stay with live with their parents for some time. With many young adults finding themselves in this situation, this is becoming more common and many are beginning to understand the economic difficulties that they are facing- which is why I believe that will become more and more accepted as time progresses.

September 6, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Anonymous said...

I agree with Susan as well: the economic situation, coupled with the rise in college costs (tuition, room and board, etc) and prices lead to the quite practical direction of 'boomeranging' back to their parents. It not only saves money, but I believe it can also reduce stress by being in an always-supportive environment.
However, this is creating more of a 'boomerang generation,' as the article points out: where kids are more likely to return to their parents' house after college to gain stability before going to look for a job. I cannot deny the advantages living at home can have for the struggling youth, but the matter of increasing dependency on parents does come up. Going with Brianne's point about analyzing the effect the boomerang generation has on society, will these young adults start a trend of, once moving into their parents house temporarily, /stay/ there, permanently?

September 9, 2013 at 6:59 PM

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