Why do so many adults 25 and older still live with their parents?

Question

Now more then ever before, grown adults are finding it harder and harder to leave the nest. Is this a result of the higher cost of living or just mere laziness. or is it something else? 50 years ago this would be unheard of, but now we just shrug our shoulders and accept it, why?

Answer 1

Being a mother of adult children who live at home, I would have to say that it really depends on the parents and the kids. It can be a variety of reasons. And unfortunately, in some cases it's because one or the other isn't strong enough to assert their independence. But, in my experience, it's mostly financial. And, oh my gosh, (shock! shock!) that we actually like each other.
My kids have been attending school and working full time jobs, while paying all their own bills, schooling expenses and RENT to us. And they do this with no problem. Infact, we never have to ask, they usually pay their rent before we ever have to ask. As well, they have helped us out financially at times. We live in a State where even when you are a Licensed Professional with years and years of experience that my husband and I both have, it's hard to find consistent work, with consistent pay with job security. And we ourselves have had our own ups and downs. Both our children have good jobs and actually get paid more than we do. And are always willing to kick in $50 or whatever if we need help with groceries or something. All I am saying is that I think it just depends on what kind of relationship you have with you parents/kids and if everyone is expected and willing to be responsible for themselves while helping with the community items in the home. And you have to have respect for each others privacy. That is key. But, most of all, we are a very close family, even though we joke that we are more like friends now. We really get along together. And as some of the other people have answered, I think it's pretty common in some cultures. Regardless, I think the most important thing is that if you are going to have this arrangement, then everyone has to be responsible, co-operative, and have respect for each other. Or usually it won't work. And as far as our family, it does for now. Even though the kids are longing to have their own place soon, and I have no doubt that this spring they will. Our oldest actually did move out for over a year and then back in when his room mates kept ditching him with all the bills, and it was at OUR suggestion that he moved back home for a while. In any event, it's not that abnormal for kids to move in and out a few times, at least, the economy is different than it was in the late 70's when I moved from home, it's alot harder to make it, even for people my age. Don't judge people when you don't know the whole story. Most people in this arrangement are really helping each other and are happy. Worry about yourself. Live and let live. Life's hard enough without worrying about why other people live the way they do. Everyone has a right to enjoy life whichever works for them, and in some cases, it's their only alternative.

Answer 2

Oh, on the contrary! Historically speaking, studies show that the change throughout history of people living with their parents has been negligible. The idea that 50 years ago people hardly ever lived with their parents is another "Leave it to Beaver" urban myth. People live with their parents for a number of reasons: mental illness, convenience, money problems, or just because they actually (oh my gosh!) like one another and enjoy the company. The money problem is particularly interesting, because the assumption is always that the kid is some lazy deviant, but that is not always true (though sometimes, of course, it is). It is possible for just about anyone to fall on hard times and need to fall back on something, and many adults even move back in with their parents to help THEM through difficult times.

What you are ultimately suggesting is that none of these issues existed in the past, which simply is not true. In fact, for most of history many people lived with their parents their entire lives! The supposed value that living with your parents is always a bad thing (I admit it CAN be a bad thing) is judgemental and artificial. We have created this idealistic vision of the past, but that idealistic and perfect past never existed.

I agree with you that there are a variety of ways that people end up moving in with their parents, and laziness and high costs are both potential reasons. It may even be true that there is an increase in the present, as these sorts of cultural entities tend to fluctuate. The idea that 50 years ago this was not an issue, however, is most definitely false.

Answer 3

I am 24 and still live with my parents. I live in Ny. a studio apartment here is roughly 1000 a month. I am working on my masters degree, so i really do not have money to move out yet. When i finally get a real job i will move out. The answer to your queastion at least for me is the high cost of living.

Answer 4

I'm 25 and I live with my dad and a younger sister. and it is due to money issues, I'm in the process of gettin my own place but if it wasn't for me, the house wouldn't be clean, and there wouldn't be food that was made for us. I do all the house work, plus make breakfast, lunch, and dinner. so without me they'll be lost when i'm gone. I also help pay most of the bills here to. so i dont' get off of living here free.. and if you would see the town where I live you wouldn't understand why money issues are bad around here.

Answer 5

How about try make only 8 to 12 a hour and try to buy a house that cost over 250,000 and pay for bills and grocery?

Most employers take advantage of young people, so it's safer to live with parents until they are secure with their moneys issue.

Answer 6

im not sure, but its something ive pondered a lot. i think these days a lot of people are just too damn lazy to get off their asses and get a job so they can afford a house. Parents should put their feet down too, once their kids are 18 they should send them out the door so they can actually become something. it would be for the better because letting them leech off their parents isnt going to help them in the future, they need to learn how to be independent.

Answer 7

I think it is because they don't want to give up the lifestyle they have always had and know that on their own they cannot afford it. In many cultures though, it is very common for parents, children and grandparents to live together. Me personally, I left home at 17, and for my kids, if they aren't in Med school or law school, they will NOT be living at home when they are that old!!

Answer 8

I dont think of which you're left with any strategies to make issues justified for each guy or woman. You arent your brother's mothers and dads, nor do you're making the regulations in the domicile. in case you mothers and dads determine to try this, then enable it fairly is. i'm specific they are smart adequate to no longer enable issues too out of hand. You dont comprehend their motif in this occasion. you need to easily flow approximately doing all your individual concern and in simple terms being as self reliant as you are able to. Be a place kind and/or helpful impact in direction of your loved ones. it's going to be observed and with a bit of luck your mothers and dads might attempt to enforce a similar existence kind which you reside on your brother. One final concern, i might incredibly have a one time sit down including your brother and vent out each thing which you're feeling relating to the placement. provide your comments and dont depart him any room to talk excuses.

Answer 9

Well... it might have to do with rent being so high. 50 years ago it wasn't uncommon for extended families (granparents, parents, children) to be living all under the same roof. .

Answer 10

Not sure about everyone else, but my fiance's dad lives with us because he doesn't want to live alone..

And like my mom always says "in 100 years, nobody is going to care".... so quit worrying about a 26 y/o who lives with their mom, it's their choice.