Ch 10-11
Also, you must complete a discussionproviding at least 2 reasons research is suggesting for young
adults to still live at home.
Boomerang and failure-to-launch are key terms used to describe young
adults living at home. Boomerang has been connected to young adults who
left home for a period only to return. This return could be for several reasons,
including but not limited to continued education, divorce, or loss or lack of
employment. Failure-to-launch is connected to young adults who have never
left home. Both types of young adults benefit from the comfort of their
parents’ homes, but their return or delay has a negative and some positive
outcomes.#
Discuss at least 2 reasons research is suggesting for young adults still living
at home. This new phenomenon—young adults still living in their parents'
home well into their late 20's to early 30's—is proposed to be a result of
many different reasons. Upon reading Boomerang Families and Failure-to-
Launch: Commentary on Adult Children Living at Home (Burn & Szoeke,
2016), discuss the impact of coresidence with parents.
There is much research today suggesting for young adults to still live at home. The number of
young adults who live or move back in with their parents is on the rise (Fry, 2016). There are
both positives and negatives that come from young adults still living at home. There are also
many reasons why young adults still live with their parents. Two different terms for this topic
include boomerang and failure-to launch. Boomerangs include young adults who have been on
their own for some time and decide to move back in with their parents, whereas failure-to-launch
include young adults who have never left their parents’ house. According to Burn and Szoeke,
reasons that children either move back home to live with their parents or stay at their parents’
home is due to financial, social, and emotions factors for both parents and children (2016).
Living with parents can be detrimental to young adult children hindering them from growth and
independence. A negative for parents allowing their adult child to live with them can be
financial and emotional impacts from continued parenting (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). According to
Burn and Szoeke, in order to have a healthy living environment there will need to be a
redefinition of roles and expectations (2016). Adult children can have a negative impact of the
interpersonal dynamic of the household and put a financial burden on their parents. The average
length of time of young adults who move back in with their parents is about 3 years (Fry, 2017).
I was surprised to know that more than 50% of parents with children aged 19-21 claimed that
their child still lives with them, whereas 33% of parents with children aged 22-24 claimed their
child still lives with them (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). More reasons that young adult children return
home to live with their parents include continued education, a breakup or divorce, mental or
physical illness, economic struggles, personal turmoil and loss of employment. Adult children
can also choose to move back in with their parents in order to take care of a sick parent.
According to Burn and Szoeke, the two most reported factors for adult children still living at
home include age and martial status (2016). COVID is another reason why many young adults
are starting to move back in with their parents. Due to COVID, many people have lost their jobs
and are struggling financially to pay their rent. The cost of living independently as well as debt
obligations may also be a reason why young adults decide to move back in with their parents
(Fry, 2017). For example, some young adults are still paying off their student loans. In addition,
the cost of food, housing, and gas is continually increasing.
This was an interesting topic to research as I fall under the category of boomerang. I lost my job
back in 2020 due to COVID. At that time, I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in Clinical
Mental Health Counseling. It was best for me, at the time, to move back in with my parents in
order to save money while in school. It is definitely an adjustment going from being on my own
for 9 years to moving back in with my parents, although I think it will pay off in the long run. I
am blessed to have parents that allow me to be able to move back in with them to set me up for a
successful future. In the Bible, Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that
your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Open Bible, 2021).
This verse states the importance of respecting and honoring our parents. Some parents are so
loving that they allow their children to move back in with them while their children find their
way in this life. Although my parents always tell me I do not have to rush to move out, this
research has opened my eyes in how I could potentially be a financial and emotional burden on
my parents.
References
100 Bible verses about parent child relationship. What Does the Bible Say About Parent Child
Relationship? (n.d.). https://www.openbible.info/topics/parent_child_relationship.D
Burn, K., & Szoeke, C. (2016). Boomerang families and failure-to-launch: Commentary on adult
children living at home.DMaturitas,D83, 9–12.
Fry, Richard. (2017).DIt's becoming more common for young adults to live at home – and for
longer stretches. Pew Research Center
Jenna Springer
According to Burn and Szoeke (2016), there are a variety of reasons why young adults live at
home with their parents. Economic factors, such as unemployment and high cost of living, are a
major reason (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). Residing with parents is more likely when the individual is
unemployed (West et al., 2017). However, some young adults who have full-time jobs may live
with their parents in order to save money (Casares & White, 2018). Education also plays a large
factor. It is also not uncommon for young adults to return to living at home after attending
college, or in the summer between semesters (West et al., 2017). Additionally, pursuing further
education makes living at home more likely (West et al., 2017). This is likely because these
young adults would prefer to use their finances toward education, rather than housing, and living
with parents is a good way to save money. Recent societal changes in lifestyle may also be a
predictor for living at home. Because many young adults are choosing to delay marriage, they
may live at home during this time (Casares & White, 2016). Parental relationships are also a
factor. Young adults are more likely to return home if their parents are still married, and having a
step-family makes it less likely an individual will continue to live at home (Burn & Szoeke,
2016). According to Burn and Szoeke (2016), having a positive, nurturing relationship with
one’s parents makes residing with them more likely.
DDDDDD Young adults living at home has various impacts, not only on the individual but on their
parents as well. For example, it is common for young adults residing with parents to be expected
to help out around the house (Casares & White, 2018). Additionally, young adults living at home
may be expected to contribute financially, especially if they are employed (West et al., 2017).
One challenge reported by many parents of boomerang children Carases and White’s study was
establishing proper boundaries (2018). Having an adult child return home involves being flexible
and making changes around the house, and it is important to remember that parents are affected,
along with the child (Casares & Whites, 2016). A challenge young adults may face when living
with parents is lack of autonomy due to living at home. However, young adults living with
parents may benefit from having the opportunity to form a closer bond with their parents
(Casares & White, 2018).
References
Burn, K., & Szoeke, C. (2016). Failure to launch: Commentary on adult children living at
home.DMaturitas, 83,9-12.
Casares, D. R., Jr., & White, C. C. (2018). The phenomenological experience of parents who live
with a boomerang child.DAmerican Journal of Family Therapy,D46(3), 227–243.Dhttps://doi-
org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1080/01926187.2018.1495133
West, A., Lewis, J., Roberts, J., & Noden, P. (2017). Young adult graduates living in the parental
home: Expectations, negotiations, and parental financial support. D Journal of Family
Issues, D 38(17), 2449–2473. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0192513X16643745
Hey Jenna,
Thank you so much for your post on this week’s discussion of re-nesting!
I enjoyed reading your post and the insights you provided on the topic. As you mentioned, there
are a variety of reasons why young adults still live at home with their parents. Boomerang and
failure-to launch are two terms that describe young adults who still live at home. I fall under the
category of boomerang as I moved back in with my parents after being on my own for 9 years. I
lost my job due to COVID and decided to further my education in obtaining my Master’s degree
in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
You gave great examples of why young adults live with their parents. More reasons include the
child being mentally/physically ill. Young adults can also move back in with their parents when
the parents are ill and need to be cared for. Children and adults are both impacted by moving
back in with their parents. The redefinition of roles of both parents and children is vital in
having a healthy living environment (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). I believe the biggest impact for me
personally is my independence. I have to remember that I don’t live alone anymore and have to
update my parents of everything I am doing so they do not worry. It is important to keep in mind
that young adults who move back in with their parents can affect their parents emotionally and
financially (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). Lastly, I agree with you in that young adults can form a
closer relationship with their parents from moving back in with them. I have the closest
relationship I’ve ever had with my parents due to moving back in with them.
Thanks again for your post!
References
Burn, K., & Szoeke, C. (2016). Boomerang families and failure-to-launch: Commentary on adult
children living at home.DMaturitas,D83, 9–12.
Andria Corso
Young adults living with their parents have become so common that
millennials are often referred to as the boomerang generation (Ulrich &
Pantuosco, 2020). Research indicates that two reasons young adults choose
to live with their parents are related to finances and family dynamics.
Young adults exiting college or graduate school often have significant
student loans and may not have the financial independence to live on their
own. Lack of financial independence and difficulty finding a job can impact
young adults' decisions to live with their parents (Sandberg-Thoma et al.,
2015). Even if the young adult has a job, they may still choose to live with
their parents while saving enough money to live on their own. Job loss or
failure to find a job after school (high school or college) may be a reason
young adults return home or never move out of their parents' home (South &
Lei, 2015). Other issues that impact finances and cause them to live with
their parents include pregnancy, single parenting, and divorce (Sandberg-
Thoma et al., 2015; South & Lei, 2015). If young adults experience any of
these and cannot financially support themselves, they often choose to live
with their parents.
Family dynamics is a broad category that impacts whether young adults live
with their parents. These dynamics include how close the family of origin is,
cultural traditions, the caretaking or caregiving role of parents and children
in the family, and whether there was a divorce in the family of origin. South
and Lei (2015) state that when the family of origin is close, and the child has
a close bond with their mother, they are more likely to move home. Cultural
traditions also play a part in whether young adults live with their parents. For
example, in some cultures, parents encourage the children to live at home,
whereas in others, independence is stressed (Burn & Szoeke, 2016).# I
personally know this because I come from an Italian family where the closer
the children live, the happier the parents. Other family dynamics that impact
whether adult children live with their parents include the health of the parent
and the health of the child# (Sandberg-Thoma et al., 2015). Adult children
may live with their parents to provide or receive necessary health care.#
Finally, family dynamics that include an intact family of origin are more likely
to have young adults living at home, whereas a stepparent in the home
causes the opposite effect (South & Lei, 2015).
There are both negative and positive impacts on parents if their adult
children live with them. Burn and Szoeke (2016) state that some of the
positive impacts on parents include companionship and enjoyment from
having the adult children at home again, especially in cultures that
encourage this cohabitation. Additionally, if parents need a caretaker due to
physical health concerns, they appreciate their adult children living at home
(South & Lei, 2015). Some of the negative impacts on parents include a
financial and marital burden and an increase in arguments between parents
and adult children (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). These adult children often expect
their parents to care for their needs as if they were still a child, creating
conflict with their parents (Burn & Szoeke, 2016). These expectations also
can create resentment in parents. Establishing ground rules, boundaries and
setting expectations between parents and their adult live-in children may
help ease some discontentment.
References:
Burn, K., & Szoeke, C. (2016). Boomerang families and failure-to-launch:
Commentary on adult children living at home,#Maturitas, 83, 9-12.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.09.004.
Sandberg-Thoma, S, Snyder, A. R., & Jang, B. J. (2015). Exiting and returning
to the parental home for boomerang kids.#Journal of Marriage and Family,
77(3), 806-818. doi: 10.1111/jomf.12183
South, S. J., & Lei, L. (2015). Failure to launch and boomerang kids:
Contemporary deteriminants of leaving and returning to the parental
home.#Social Forces, 94(2), 863–890. doi: 10.1093/sf/sov064
Ullrich, L. D., & Pantuosco, L. J. (2020). Boomerang kids: What factors impact
the prevalence of moving home after college?#Journal of Business and
Educational Leadership, 10(1), 44-57.
Good afternoon Andria,
I appreciate your post this week on re-nesting!
In addition to boomerang, failure to launch is another term used for young adults who never left
their parents’ home. As you mentioned, family dynamics are finances are two main reasons why
young adults choose to live at home with their parents. I was honestly surprised at the high
number of young adults that live with their parents. According to Burn and Szoeke, more than
50% of parents with children aged 19-21 claimed that their child still lives with them (2016). I
figured once young adults turn 18, they are ready to get out of their parents’ house and move on
with their life. That being said, they do not always have enough money to do so. According to
South and Lei, economic independence often leads to residential independence (2015).
Something I thought was interesting in my research on this topic was the fact that physical,
including sexual, victimization leads young adults both out of and back into their parents’ home
(South & Lei, 2015). I like how you included in your post that divorce, pregnancy, and single
parenting can also lead to young adults moving back in with their parents. As you mentioned,
there are always pros and cons of moving back in with parents, and it is important to be aware of
these.
In the Bible, Proverbs 1:8-9 says, “Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your
mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck”
(Open Bible, 2021). This verse reminds us to always respect our parents and listen to their wise
words they pass onto us. Many are lucky to have parents to fall back on when they are having
financial troubles are going through tough times in life. I also come from an Italian family and
my grandparents always stressed the importance of family.
Thanks again for your post and hope you have a great weekend!
References
100 Bible verses about parent child relationship. What Does the Bible Say About Parent Child
Relationship? (n.d.). https://www.openbible.info/topics/parent_child_relationship.D
Burn, K., & Szoeke, C. (2016). Boomerang families and failure-to-launch: Commentary on adult
children living at home.DMaturitas,D83, 9–12.
South, S. J., & Lei, L. (2015). Failures-to-launch and boomerang kids: Contemporary
determinants of leaving and returning to the parental home.DSocial Forces,D94(2), 863–890.
https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sov064D
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
