Dating back to 1880, the most common living arrangement among young adults has been living with a romantic partner, whether a spouse or a significant other. This type of arrangement peaked around 1960, when 62% of the nation’s 18- to 34-year-olds were living with a spouse or partner in their own household, and only one-in-five were living with their parents.
A Home of Their Own?
The cost of housing is another factor sending young adults back to their childhood bedrooms or parent’s basement apartments. Whether they are choosing to continue their education, are not earning enough money to live alone, or are actively saving for a home of their own, finances play a big part in young adults choosing to live with their parents well into their 20’s and even in some cases their 30’s. When faced with living with roommates and sharing living space with people they don’t know or don’t much care for, millennials are opting for the comfort and security of living with their parents.
Not Interested in Love
Millennials are having far less sex than Gen-Xers or Boomers. Their lack of interest in intimate relationships can be attributed to, among other things, pressure to succeed in their careers, fear of being emotionally hurt, an increase in antidepressant use (which can affect libido), and awkward meet-ups on dating apps. Rather than spending their time and energy looking for love, more millennials are focusing on their health, their jobs, and their friendships.
It’s a Lot Easier
Living with family instead of on their own is a lot easier for many millennials, which is another reason they may choose not to fly from the nest. Everyday responsibilities like grocery shopping, house cleaning, cooking and more are often taken care of by the parents by default, giving young adults a lot more free time and less financial expense. Once they’ve returned home and discovered how nice it is to be part of a family, with meals and a clean bathroom, it may be difficult to move out anytime soon, whatever their financial situation may be.
What Parents Can Do to Encourage Their Young Adults to Move Out
Assuming your young adult is making a decent living and can take care of himself, how can parents encourage (or insist) that their children move out of the family home? For many parents, plans as empty nesters or retirees could be put on the back burner, including selling a large home to downsize and moving into the next phase of their lives. There is no reason why parents should refrain from asking their young adults for a timeline and a plan for the next step in their lives. If young adults seem reluctant to commit to a date or a schedule, parents should take it upon themselves to outline expectations and requirements for their kids to find a home of their own.
