Why is it so hard for young adult college students to make it on their own in society?

Question

I'm a nineteen year old community college student, still living at home with my parents. I previously went away to a university last year as a freshman, now living back home is a BIG adjustment and I would do anything to be able to afford my own place. My parents, it seems like, are even more stricter than they were to me when I was in high school, even though I'm almost 20. If I could afford my own apartment, I would leave this house right now. However, the amount of hours that I would have to work to even afford everything would be enormous. Many of my community college friends still live at home with their parents too, however, they express little interest in getting an apartment, which would have been the cheapest way to do it, getting an apartment with a bunch of friends so individual rent payments would be much lower. Why has society made it so hard for young adult college students to make it on their own?

Also, while I don't particularly like living here, it is, however, better than leaving on my own, because then I'd be homeless. As long as they let me live here without kicking me out, I will live here (until I can afford my own thing). However, it seems likely in the very near future that they just want me out of here too. In the event of that happening, what would my options be? Would I just have to accept the homeless life? What choices are there if when somebody becomes an adult (meaning their parents can now legally kick them out anytime), their parents kick them out and they can't afford their own place?

Answer 1

Try the dorms if your college offers them -- some community colleges do. Stay at home and finish school-- I agree it is nearly impossible to go out on your own and remain a full time student. You can either work full time and go to school part time -- or overexert yourself with school and work full time.

I dropped out of college to work full time so I could afford to move out. Of course my parents thought this was terrible -- but I'm doing very well. I would NEVER recommend doing what I did -- just hang in there. I too agree it's ridiculous that it's nearly impossible to be on your own and attend school full time.

In the event of getting kicked out -- there are help groups out there and low income housing.

Answer 2

It's not so much that society has made it hard for students to survive, it's just that so many of them want to speed up their own independance. Staying at home while you complete your education is the "old school" way, some would say. So many college age folks are SO eager to throw off the parental mantle that they lose site of the benefits of a few more years of Mom & Dad's control.

But if you think about it, it makes a HELL of a lot of sense. Your expenses are MUCH lower, often so much so that you can graduate with little or no debt. Then you'll enter the working world without being a slave to the student loan lenders and be able to experience TRUE freedom. Ten years down the road you'll be looking at your second or even third home purchase while your peers will just be starting to save for their FIRST down payment.

Stay focused! It's worth the sacrifice!

Answer 3

Its called hardknocks unfortunately. If they kicked you out you'd find a way to afford it. It might not be the most pleasant of situations, but it can be done. You'll have to work tons and take less classes...if any at all. I don't necessarily think that society has made it so hard for young college students to make it on their own. You can't expect to have a ballin' job at 20 and make tons of money. I am not saying that it can't be done, because there are definitely exceptions.
If you really want to move out think of all the things that come along with living it at home: food, use of the laundry, minimal cleaning and no rent (so you can save your money).
Having an apartment or roomates comes with: buying groceries, cleaning up, rent, usually paying to use the laundry, arguments between roommates (maybe, not always), buying services (cable, phone, etc.), but it comes with freedom.
So weigh it out? What is most important to you. If moving out is most important, get a full-time job and get a roommate or two. You can find them in all kinds of places. Check the bulletin boards at school, check out rooms for rent on the internet and check the local paper.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

You are right. Your parents are probably being harder on you to motivate you to get an education so you can support yourself and get out. A common tactic of parents. And a very good idea in my humble opinion. You need a way to make more money per hour (and your parents know this because THEY are supporting themselves successfully plus helping you). You are not willing to do anything to have your own place or you would be willing to work 2 or 3 jobs. And advertise and find some roommates. Life is tough.

Answer 5

There's absolutely no reason why you can't work a full-time job while attending college - especially if you are in community college. I would suggest working as a waitress or bartender; you would make more per hour that way and you'd be able to afford an apartment.

Of course, I suspect that your parents would be happy to see that you were working hard and would be happy to have you continue to live with them. In this case, you would be able to save your money.

Life isn't supposed to be easy, but one thing is for sure - you get back from life what you put into it.

Answer 6

Its really not that bad young people don't know the meaning of sacrifice, No doubt the economy is at a low point but perseverance is the key factor to success, And the younger generation needs to abandon that attitude that they are owed everything.

Answer 7

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