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Study: Record Number 21 Million Young Adults Living With Parents

by BTM
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Study: Record Number 21 Million Young Adults Living With Parents « CBS DC



WASHINGTON (CBSDC) -- A record number of young adults are living with their parents.

A new study from Pew Research finds that 36 percent of Millennials - young adults ages 18 to 31 - are living at their parents' homes, the highest number in four decades. A record 21.6 million young adults were still living at home last year.

"Most of my friends that have graduated end up living back home because even if they have a job they can't afford to pay rent and pay back their loans at the same time," Stephanie Levonne, a 20-year-old college student living at home, told CBS News. "I know a lot of people that took out almost half or more of their tuition in loans which is $50,000 so it's impossible to pay rent and live in New York City while paying off your loan."

The number rose from 32 percent at the beginning of the Great Recession in 2007 and 34 percent in 2009.

Declining employment led more young adults to stay with their parents. Sixty-three percent of Millennials had jobs in 2012, down from 70 percent in 2007.

The study also found that the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who were enrolled in college rose from 35 percent in March 2007 to 39 percent in March 2012 and that the number of Millennials dropped to 25 percent last year from 30 percent in 2007.

The Labor Department released its latest job report Friday, showing the economy added 162,000 jobs last month while the unemployment rate edged lower to 7.4 percent.
  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Not surprising news in these days and times.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    It's not a bad idea - so long as you have parents you can get along with.
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  • Profile picture of the author Radium
    It's not necessarily a bad news. It can be a good opportunity to save up and invest!
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Radium View Post

      It's not necessarily a bad news. It can be a good opportunity to save up and invest!
      Not if you make LITTLE and your parents my want you to pay. ALSO, there is inflation.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author LarryC
    When you think about it, the whole modern idea of young people moving out, living a single life for a while and then settling down into a nuclear family unit is very recent. It began in the 1940s or 50s, flourished for a few decades and now appears to be declining. Historically, most people have lived in close proximity and often under the same roof as extended family members.

    I'm not saying it's good or bad. I think we're entering a post-everything era when you can't generalize about how anyone "should" live. But the idea that it's intrinsically weird or pathetic for adults to live with their parents is just based on a rather random cultural norm.
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by LarryC View Post

      When you think about it, the whole modern idea of young people moving out, living a single life for a while and then settling down into a nuclear family unit is very recent. It began in the 1940s or 50s, flourished for a few decades and now appears to be declining. Historically, most people have lived in close proximity and often under the same roof as extended family members.

      I'm not saying it's good or bad. I think we're entering a post-everything era when you can't generalize about how anyone "should" live. But the idea that it's intrinsically weird or pathetic for adults to live with their parents is just based on a rather random cultural norm.
      Well, in the US, it has not been that way for a LONG time. As for the 1940s? It is a MYTH that the depression was 1929. It lasted through to at least about 1933. So the 1940s likely still were affected.

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author LarryC
        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        Well, in the US, it has not been that way for a LONG time. As for the 1940s? It is a MYTH that the depression was 1929. It lasted through to at least about 1933. So the 1940s likely still were affected.

        Steve
        I'm not sure what the dates of the depression have to do with this, other than that many people would have lived with family members during that time for similar reasons as they are now.

        I can't say that I've done much research on this, but I always associated the nuclear family as part of the post-World War II way of life that started in the late 40s and brought us other dubious signs of progress such as suburban sprawl and 9-5 jobs that people were expected to keep until retirement.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    In rural farming areas, families still live within close proximity, if not under the same roof. It's not a bad idea. You can save money on daycare having grandma watch kids, your food bills could be cheaper buying in bulk, and housing is cheaper when several generations are pitching in to pay.
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    • Profile picture of the author whland
      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      In rural farming areas, families still live within close proximity, if not under the same roof. It's not a bad idea. You can save money on daycare having grandma watch kids, your food bills could be cheaper buying in bulk, and housing is cheaper when several generations are pitching in to pay.
      I agree. It's not really that bad for families to live together. If I ever have kids, I'd want them to stay with me when they're grown. lol

      It's tough in these times. Everything's so expensive that it's hard to get by.

      Chad
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Yeah, this "news" probably doesn't have as much impact in other countries where extended family units have always been pretty common as it does here.
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Yep, in Au the median house price is $423,000 although l have seen a large house in the country outskirts going for $325,000.

      Still a lot of money whichever way you look at it, and currently out of the reach of most Aussies, since we would need at least $30-40,000 for a deposit!


      So, no doubt home dwellers are increasing, but people who work hard, are also spinning their wheels, or coming to the ugly conclusion that home ownership is out of their reach!


      Probably explains why l went for the internet lifestyle, which l will be enjoying soon...

      No ceiling on income!!!


      Shane
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        I moved out at 18, and it never occurred to me to go back.

        I had low paying crap jobs, until I got in sales. Sorry, the idea of staying with your parents, after you graduate from school, is simply alien to me.
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      • Profile picture of the author LarryC
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        Yep, in Au the median house price is $423,000 although l have seen a large house in the country outskirts going for $325,000.

        Still a lot of money whichever way you look at it, and currently out of the reach of most Aussies, since we would need at least $30-40,000 for a deposit!


        So, no doubt home dwellers are increasing, but people who work hard, are also spinning their wheels, or coming to the ugly conclusion that home ownership is out of their reach!


        Probably explains why l went for the internet lifestyle, which l will be enjoying soon...

        No ceiling on income!!!


        Shane
        Well most people who move out in the U.S. don't buy a home right away. They rent. Although finding affordable rentals is a challenge for many people as well. Another thing that's becoming more common is people having roommates/housemates/flatmates well past college age.
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        • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
          Originally Posted by LarryC View Post

          Well most people who move out in the U.S. don't buy a home right away. They rent. Although finding affordable rentals is a challenge for many people as well. Another thing that's becoming more common is people having roommates/housemates/flatmates well past college age.
          Yep, here too, if you rent here, especially townhouses the landlords have a legal printing press, or they can increase it constantly if you are on monthly tenancy rates.



          As for being on the dole to achieve your financial goals, is a valid course, that is a tough one to answer.

          It may be considered wrong, but if you do get there, and end up employing a team of people, or paying substantially more in tax then you are making up for your tax handout.


          A classic example of this is, Billy Elliot, who did Harvey Crumpet, (he lives in Melbourne or about 30 k's from me).

          An offbeat video, that won him an award, or Oscar (you can Google it to take a look).

          But the thing is, he was on the dole for a good part of a year, while doing the very labor intensive stop motion short animation, with a team to help out, and eventhough he also got a grant of a few hundred thousand, he openly said to the then premier, the tax money paid for this!

          Obviously the premier or dole office couldn't say, ok, you didn't look for work over that time, so give us our money back?

          A politically dodgy thing to attempt, eventhough he did break the rules. So whether this is wright or wrong is relative to how close someone is to success, and how successful he or she can be?

          Not an easy one to answer! :confused:


          So l don't know if it is a bad thing if he or she ends up employing more people, and paying it all back in higher taxes?


          It is the ones that don't do anything except sit around and drink beer while watching endless sport that need a good kick up the "you know what" because they really are taking an extended holiday!


          Shane
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    • Profile picture of the author teresarothaar
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Yeah, this "news" probably doesn't have as much impact in other countries where extended family units have always been pretty common as it does here.
      I saw a discussion about this on Facebook, and I noticed that while the Americans were largely horrified by this news, people in other countries did not understand what all the fuss was about. Particularly in Asia and Latin America, it is common for two or even three generations to live under one roof. Just as parents take care of children when they are young, the children are expected to take care of parents when the parents are older.
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
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        Originally Posted by teresarothaar View Post

        Just as parents take care of children when they are young, the children are expected to take care of parents when the parents are older.
        That's pretty much what a friend of mine told me, he's American & married to a lady from Laos.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I think it's more alien to men than to women, even here in the US. It seems a little easier to recover financially if you are male - at least in my generation. I was literally raised to be a great hostess and PR person for my man's career. Fortunately, there are great social skills involved so I was able to reorient myself in the marketplace a tad - but not as lucratively as if I'd been raised with the idea of business from the get. I ended up at home a few times when the getting got rough. Not for long -- wouldn't have been a good thing long term at all. Wasn't bad to be around family for awhile, though. I can't imagine a guy feeling the same way - for sociological reasons, not because it would be wrong. There's a lot more social stigma for guys going home than there is for women doing it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      I was literally raised to be a great hostess and PR person for my man's career.
      Really????? You????? Are you sure?????

      Although....my guess is you've transferred those skills to apply to Ricky...and probably every other dog that is fortunate enough to cross your path.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Now HEYSAL is right. I wasn't going to say, because some might consider it sexist, but up until maybe 1960, females were almost expected to stay at home until they got married, and didn't work.

    THAT is why "ROSIE THE RIVITER" during the second world war was really such a BIG thing! Rosie the Riveter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I mean women were often given the lower end jobs, if any at all, at lower pay, and certainly NOT in big construction. The US was a LOT smaller than it is now and needed fighters, and SO many men were told to go to war that some jobs were VACANT, so they had the women fill those.

    Realize THIS, and the opening song for The Mary Tyler Moore show, etc... takes on a new meaning


    Even in the opening scene when she waited by the elevator and all the women walked by. I would interpret that as her waiting for the ladies to go to the secretarial pool, or area where the typists go, to pass by while she goes to HER job.

    She finds out she got the job AS ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, which was better than the secretarial job SHE applied for but didn't get, and hugs the main coworkers. She throws her hat in the air as a kind of "YEAH, I GOT THE JOB, LIFE IS GOOD"! Wikipedia even talks about this on their site.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ty...ore_(TV_series)

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Not if you make LITTLE and your parents my want you to pay.
      In other countries, 2 or 3 generations might share a home but they also share responsibility for the home and the finances.

      In the US the quote above seems more common - at least with a few of my friends who have adult kids who moved back in with them (often bring their own kids with them).

      Instead of contributing to rent/mortgage/food costs/utilities - many of these "home again" adults revert to childhood. They resent being asked to pay anything - expect free child care for their kids and free housing/cook/maid service for themselves even though they have paying jobs.

      Families moving in together is a common sense way to handle a bad financial situation but it only works well if all adults contribute their share of funds and work.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        In other countries, 2 or 3 generations might share a home but they also share responsibility for the home and the finances.

        In the US the quote above seems more common - at least with a few of my friends who have adult kids who moved back in with them (often bring their own kids with them).
        You MISUNDERSTOOD! Someone ELSE said it was a way for the kids to save for the future. I said they would be paid little, and the parents, et all, might want them to pay what they can, so that was NOT likely to be the case!

        Instead of contributing to rent/mortgage/food costs/utilities - many of these "home again" adults revert to childhood. They resent being asked to pay anything - expect free child care for their kids and free housing/cook/maid service for themselves even though they have paying jobs.

        Families moving in together is a common sense way to handle a bad financial situation but it only works well if all adults contribute their share of funds and work.
        ******EXACTLY******!

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Radium
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          I said they would be paid little, and the parents, et all, might want them to pay what they can, so that was NOT likely to be the case!
          Could've been a slight oversight from my part, but at least here the unemployment benefits can be up to $750 per month (+ additional benefits). Having your home address at your parents may lower that a bit, but usually you get to keep more money being unemployed than having a low paying job and paying rent. The government will even pay your rent if you live alone and makes sure you have enough to spend. This or what keeps young people away from work.

          The whole welfare system in general gives the youth a twisted image of financial responsibility, thus making many incapable to handling their finances properly.
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          • Profile picture of the author garyv
            Originally Posted by Radium View Post

            Could've been a slight oversight from my part, but at least here the unemployment benefits can be up to $750 per month (+ additional benefits). Having your home address at your parents may lower that a bit, but usually you get to keep more money being unemployed than having a low paying job and paying rent. The government will even pay your rent if you live alone and makes sure you have enough to spend. This or what keeps young people away from work.

            The whole welfare system in general gives the youth a twisted image of financial responsibility, thus making many incapable to handling their finances properly.
            Read that you progressive loving hippies... = Right from the mouth of someone that's living it.
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          • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
            Originally Posted by Radium View Post

            Could've been a slight oversight from my part, but at least here the unemployment benefits can be up to $750 per month (+ additional benefits). Having your home address at your parents may lower that a bit, but usually you get to keep more money being unemployed than having a low paying job and paying rent. The government will even pay your rent if you live alone and makes sure you have enough to spend. This or what keeps young people away from work.

            The whole welfare system in general gives the youth a twisted image of financial responsibility, thus making many incapable to handling their finances properly.
            Really?

            Over here during a downturn we have traditionally taken care of the unemployed until the economy got better and the rate fell below a certain threshold.

            Then their on their own.

            This time around, some mean spirited folks are even calling people who worked most of their lives and lost their jobs via the Great Recession -- freeloaders.

            When the economy gets better, the unemployment rolls shrink but of course their will be a few true freeloaders gaming the system.

            But true freeloaders are not the big problem some folks in the USA make them out to be.

            Please tell me about Finland.

            What's the federal total tax rate on the average Fin?

            I heard it's high - like 50% and that doesn't include local taxes.

            What's the top tax rate?

            How about the bottom tax rate?

            What type of benefits do you folks get over their.

            Is your health care system universal?

            How much does the average home go for these days.

            Do you have a national retirement plan?

            How's the nation's finances/balance sheet?


            Thanks!

            TL
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            • Profile picture of the author Radium
              Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

              Please tell me about Finland.

              What's the federal total tax rate on the average Fin?

              I heard it's high - like 50% and that doesn't include local taxes.

              What's the top tax rate?

              How about the bottom tax rate?
              Oh my.. Financial terms are not my strongest point and the whole tax system is pretty confusing but I'll try to answer with my best capabilities. Yes, Finland makes it very difficult for anyone to get rich.

              Federal income tax is 6.5% starting from 16,100€/yr and 31.75% from 100,000€/yr and up. Municipal income tax is ranging from 16% to 21% and I have no idea how it adds up. I believe it will be lower with low income. IBusiness leaders often circumvent high taxes with investment income.

              Starting from last January, everyone has to pay a Public Broadcasting Company Tax, whether they own a TV or not. It caps at 140€ and lowest income classes are excluded from this tax. In addition, there are mandatory sickness and retirement insurance payments.

              Let's say you hired an apprentice with a low salary of 1,500€. After taxes they'll receive about 1,250€.

              VAT on most goods is 24%, online and offline stores. On food items it is 14%. Businesses are entitled to full tax returns on VAT.

              Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

              What type of benefits do you folks get over their.
              There are plenty of benefits. Many that I don't probably even know of.

              Education is completely free as nearly all schools are public. After elementary you will get a small school transport subsidy, which earned me nice savings to travel at the time. When you graduate from vocational or gymnasium, you'll be entitled to labour market subsidy in case of unemployment. It's basically the same as unemployment benefits.

              Should your rent be too high to pay, you'll receive benefits to reduce the cost of rent. (Imo this contributes to high rent, and rental income is also taxed highly.. lol)

              Still unemployed and not enough cash to sustain a good lifestyle? No problem. There's a social support office where you can apply for more benefits. If you're a drunkard, even better. Work can always wait. Also being foreigner is a benefit.

              Should you ever happen to get a baby, you'll receive child support benefits until they reach the age of 16. Every mother gets a supply box with baby stuff. Also fathers are entitled to a paid fatherhood holiday for almost 2 months.

              Needless to say, this system is very often abused. I know many who do.

              There are probably a lot more.. You can check it in here: Our Services - kela.fi

              Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

              Is your health care system universal?
              Public healthcare queues are very long but it's near free, for everyone. If you go for a private, it's primarily covered with your sickness insurance. So are the prescribed meds. Very rarely you hear anyone getting in a trouble being unable to pay their medical expenses.

              Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

              How much does the average home go for these days.
              For the city people in the capital region, a 3 room apartment would go for around 300,000€ and a studio apartment for 130,000€ I believe. A four room single house in a small city costs about 200,000€. For most people, this means like 50 years until they have paid back their housing loans. This is why so many people live on rent.

              Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

              Do you have a national retirement plan?
              I think that the general retirement age here is 65. The government has been working hard to make people work older, while youth unemployment is rising at an increasing pace. The retirement income depends completely on your contribution in work history. This is why mothers usually don't want to stay at home.

              Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

              How's the nation's finances/balance sheet?
              At the moment, Finland still holds the best AAA credit rating. We do have a lot of debt, though. The country has been giving a lot of support packages to the crisis countries of EU and the government is planning more tax increases and cuts on benefits.
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              • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
                Originally Posted by Radium View Post

                Oh my.. Financial terms are not my strongest point and the whole tax system is pretty confusing but I'll try to answer with my best capabilities. Yes, Finland makes it very difficult for anyone to get rich.

                Federal income tax is 6.5% starting from 16,100€/yr and 31.75% from 100,000€/yr and up. Municipal income tax is ranging from 16% to 21% and I have no idea how it adds up. I believe it will be lower with low income. Business leaders often circumvent high taxes with investment income.

                Starting from last January, everyone has to pay a Public Broadcasting Company Tax, whether they own a TV or not. It caps at 140€ and lowest income classes are excluded from this tax. In addition, there are mandatory sickness and retirement insurance payments.

                Let's say you hired an apprentice with a low salary of 1,500€. After taxes they'll receive about 1,250€.

                VAT on most goods is 24%, online and offline stores. On food items it is 14%. Businesses are entitled to full tax returns on VAT.


                There are plenty of benefits. Many that I don't probably even know of.

                Education is completely free as nearly all schools are public. After elementary you will get a small school transport subsidy, which earned me nice savings to travel at the time.

                When you graduate from vocational or gymnasium, you'll be entitled to labour market subsidy in case of unemployment. It's basically the same as unemployment benefits.

                Should your rent be too high to pay, you'll receive benefits to reduce the cost of rent. (Imo this contributes to high rent, and rental income is also taxed highly.. lol)

                Still unemployed and not enough cash to sustain a good lifestyle? No problem. There's a social support office where you can apply for more benefits. If you're a drunkard, even better. Work can always wait. Also being foreigner is a benefit.

                Should you ever happen to get a baby, you'll receive child support benefits until they reach the age of 16. Every mother gets a supply box with baby stuff. Also fathers are entitled to a paid fatherhood holiday for almost 2 months.

                Needless to say, this system is very often abused. I know many who do.

                There are probably a lot more.. You can check it in here: Our Services - kela.fi


                Public healthcare queues are very long but it's near free, for everyone. If you go for a private, it's primarily covered with your sickness insurance. So are the prescribed meds. Very rarely you hear anyone getting in a trouble being unable to pay their medical expenses.


                For the city people in the capital region, a 3 room apartment would go for around 300,000€ and a studio apartment for 130,000€ I believe. A four room single house in a small city costs about 200,000€. For most people, this means like 50 years until they have paid back their housing loans. This is why so many people live on rent.


                I think that the general retirement age here is 65. The government has been working hard to make people work older, while youth unemployment is rising at an increasing pace. The retirement income depends completely on your contribution in work history. This is why mothers usually don't want to stay at home.


                At the moment, Finland still holds the best AAA credit rating. We do have a lot of debt, though. The country has been giving a lot of support packages to the crisis countries of EU and the government is planning more tax increases and cuts on benefits.

                Overall, Finland is a big country in contrast of the low population. If your country ever gets populated tight of space like Singapore, you're welcome.

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                Thanks for the invitation and thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

                So Finland holds a AAA credit rating - great!

                IMHO, I don't think investment income should continue to get special treatment.

                There was a time in the USA when most investment income actually went towards helping out the general economy but now that's not the case - so that special treatment for investment income should go away.

                BTW...

                You folks sure get a lot of benefits for your money.

                Free higher education and darn near free health care, those are two biggies in life.

                Of course it's not totally free but it sounds inexpensive as hell.

                Over here, some folks are mortgaging their homes to pay for school for their kids.

                I just read a report that said the 1 trillion in USA student debt will eventually cost the students (and/or was it the nation?) about 4 trillion - long term.

                Jobs Jobs Jobs!

                I also forgot to ask you about the job market there.

                But can you also tell me about the situation of your elderly?

                I think they have good health care right?

                Do they have on average, enough food to eat, and a decent place to live ?

                Finland is highly rated on the life satisfaction index at this page also.

                Check it out if you get a chance.

                The Happiest States In America In One Map (INFOGRAPHIC) (scroll down the page a bit)

                Here's a question??

                With your slew of benefits, and high taxes many people in the USA (not me) would you say your countrymen are some sort of government slaves.


                What do you say about Finland's "social contract"?


                All The Best!!

                TL
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                • Profile picture of the author Radium
                  In many Asian countries it's not unusual to live with parents until long.. Yet here in the west it's such a shame, even though the situation was similar not too far in the history. Seems like economical growth brought a big shift in the general attitude. Wonder what would it be like if it became a norm again in the future?

                  These are really tough and interesting times for the people. Many of the youth I have heard think they have to over-educate themselves to get a good job, prioritizing it before their passion. Many engineers end up in McDonald's and the likes at best after school. Others have to return to their parents or look for a group apartment. I personally am quite anti-education. Long ago I decided it's better and more efficient to work your way up than study your way up.

                  Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

                  I also forgot to ask you about the job market there.

                  But can you also tell me about the situation of your elderly?

                  I think they have good health care right?

                  Do they have on average, enough food to eat, and a decent place to live ?

                  Finland is highly rated on the life satisfaction index at this page also.

                  Check it out if you get a chance.

                  The Happiest States In America In One Map (INFOGRAPHIC) (scroll down the page a bit)

                  Here's a question??

                  With your slew of benefits, and high taxes many people in the USA (not me) would you say your countrymen are some sort of government slaves.


                  What do you say about Finland's "social contract"?


                  All The Best!!

                  TL
                  Lol, I find it hard to believe that Finland is happier than the USA.

                  Our official unemployment rate is 9% but in reality it's higher. People are just sent to take courses or work for free up to six months at once so the numbers look prettier. This is what I would actually call government slavery. Companies also use this for their benefit. It's free labour for them after all. A lot of layoffs and very few new jobs. Enterpreneurship seems to be frowned upon - we have about 5% higher taxes than an average worker.

                  The elderly, sadly, are very often extremely lonely. I can occassionally see slow grandmas in their 90's going to the grocery store at the speed of a snail all alone and nobody seems to care. They live in places just like anyone else. Health is generally good, yes, and the government compensates for their medical and social care expenses should they still live alone or in the nursing home. I've also read a lot of bad things about the nursing homes lately. Many of them lack of labour and one person has to take care of many elders at the same time, resulting in occassional neglecting. Relatives do not visit them often. This leads to high suicide rates and they have even flashed the idea of legalizing mercy killing.

                  I'd say we do have a lot of freedom and a lot of obligations at the same time. Many of things are controlled by the Government and even more by the EU and to be honest it feels like living in a machine that we are constantly feeding. In the US most things seem to be run by big corporations instead.

                  Well, I have never been to the US so I cannot really compare the social and economical situations, but I found a nice article, if you happen to be curious: The Secret to Finland's Success With Schools, Moms, Kids—and Everything - Olga Khazan - The Atlantic

                  I personally would love to move abroad. People here are way too quiet and never smile. No small talk at all. It's very hard to develop any social skills at all. But still, I don't regret growing up in here.
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                  • Profile picture of the author garyv
                    Originally Posted by Radium View Post

                    Many of things are controlled by the Government and even more by the EU and to be honest it feels like living in a machine that we are constantly feeding. In the US most things seem to be run by big corporations instead.
                    This is what makes a conservative vote to overturn Obamacare over and over. I wish more people could read this and realize that we too are feeding a machine that just keeps getting bigger.
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  • Profile picture of the author PrimaDNA1989
    Banned
    To save money initially in your early 20s, I suppose it is ok to do so but no one wants to date someone who still lives with the folks. Move out and get a life!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
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    When I was a kid, I lived next door to an old lady, she lived her entire life in that one house (next door, her parents house). I think she passed away in her early 80's. It's kind of sad If you think about it, no kids, no husband.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Monroe
    I think the 'pressure' to move out (after finishing college - again another 'pressure' ) is more of a US thing.

    I know from my time here in the UK that it's more than accepted to live with your parents even late into your twenties. I re-call a bank manager friend of mine telling me the average age for a male here to leave the family home is 29.

    I also think a lot of it has to do with the generation you were born in (from looking at the past comments in this thread).

    I've been out on my own since 20 - through choice and wanting to explore and travel amongst other things, but I see no problem with people wanting to stay at the family home until they are ready to move on.

    Times are changing - and changing fast. I'd also put money of the half the people from that study not living at home through choice, but because they have no other options. House prices and bank loans for first time buyers are a lot harder to get now, so many people have 'no choice' but to stay home with mommy and daddy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
    So? You forget us billion or so Indians. This has been happening in India for centuries. Children here don't move out unless they got a job at another place or something.
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggerDeen
    Hmmm.. what's surprising about that?
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  • Profile picture of the author stefa191
    In my country, Greece, this is usual. The unemployment rates are huge and generally everything is so expensive. You can't afford a house in Greece unless ... you work as a public servant. Being a private employee is risky, job permanence is the thing you'll be worrying about, from the first day you will go to your new job.
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  • Profile picture of the author teresarothaar
    I had to leave home at 18...not by choice. My birthparents didn't want me, and my maternal grandmother, who raised me, died suddenly a few days after I turned 18. My aunt (birthmother's sister, who'd wanted her to have an abortion) inherited the house, and I had to leave before she called the sheriff. It's important to note that I didn't drink, didn't use drugs, didn't even smoke. I was a goody two-shoes. I had a full-time job, and I offered to pay her to stay in the house, but she just wanted me gone. She didn't want me to be born in the first place, and to this day she has never gotten past that. (Needless to say, I haven't spoken to her in years, and I hope I never see her again.)

    I would not have wanted to stay at home until I was 30, or even 25, but I would have benefitted greatly from being able to stay at home until I finished college. Because I had to leave immediately, I couldn't attend college; I had to work 60+ hours a week, 7 days a week, in order to survive. I had little job experience and no skills; the only jobs I qualified for were minimum-wage mall jobs. The military was not an option due to me having severe endometriosis.

    Some people are fully ready to leave the morning of their 18th birthday. I wasn't. Maybe I just wasn't smart enough. If I could have gone to college when I was 18, instead of having to wait until I was in my 30's, I would have graduated with far less debt--and I wouldn't have graduated during an economic Depression. My degree, BTW, is in Math & Computer Science. It isn't even worth $7.25/hour in this economy. If I'd gotten a similar degree in the early 90's, I would have been able to get a good job and build a successful career.

    I chose to never have children. If I'd had them, I'd have wanted them to stay at home until they finished college and got jobs.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
      Originally Posted by teresarothaar View Post

      Maybe I just wasn't smart enough.

      Your family life sounds as if it was very difficult and challenging. Not smart enough??? I doubt it.....to cope with the family issues you were confronted with, you are brilliant in my opinion.

      No amount of education can even begin to compare with the power of inner strength.
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  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    My younger bro liveS at home, he's 23. He loves it.

    I could make a TV series about his antics. Waking up around 3pm daily and then saying things like "why are you calling so early, I went to bed late, Im tired, can I call you back after breakfast".

    Or telling my mum he needs some space because he and his buddieS are partaking in a Halo tournament...

    lol.

    I think its funny to be honest.

    He does DJ and produce music so I can kinda see why... but on the other side ive explained to him that the longer he goes without a full-time job the harder it will be for him as no one will employ him.

    He's not on the dole, so the way I see it, he can do what he wants.

    His mrs goes to uni and had a fulltime gig, so I dont see her sticking around for long.
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    When I was coming of age it was much easier for the young folks to...

    "get their own address".

    When the US gets out of this economic mess the raw number and percentage of folks living with parents will go down.

    Until then folks will have to do what they have to do.

    I'm also big time in favor of folks doing whatever they have to do to pay off a home piece of property as it can be the foundation of wealth for a family.

    Pay off the property asap and then folks can live in it only paying the property taxes and utilities etc.
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    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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