Yhomit 20160623

Research shows that there is an increasing number of young adults that live in their parent’s home after adolescent years (Stone, Berrington, & Falkingham, 2011; Jeong, Hamplová, & Le Bourdais, 2014). These young adults, though they live in their parents’ homes do not live as a they did as youth within the context of a traditional parent-child relationship (Stone, Berrington, & Falkingham, 2011). There are multiple reasons that have been expressed as to why young adults are remaining in the home with their parents. One reason is that there is a dependence on parents or relatives for financial stability which had not been previously apparent (Stone, Berrington, & Falkingham, 2011; Jeong, Hamplová, & Le Bourdais, 2014). This could be as a result of immigration, or for an entirely different reason such as simply delayed entry into adulthood (Jeong, Hamplová, & Le Bourdais, 2014). In times past, young adults left home earlier to seek out their path in life and make their way educationally and professionally, or started families apart from their family of origin (Stone, Berrington, & Falkingham, 2011). While young adults are in modern times expected to obtain higher education or enter the labor force, many young people are not moving into the labor force but are exploring ‘other’ options especially given that employment demands have increased for domestic service workers and unskilled workers which is laborious in nature, low paying and without the glamour or luxury that may have been represented in the home of origin (Stone, Berrington, & Falkingham, 2011). Simply put, for some young adults they simply want the benefit of a more financially progressive life without the responsibilities that come along with the design of work and financial stability. While this previous statement is a general one, research shows that there are also a number of young adults that leave home and then return home after discovering that their personal trailblazing to “independence” is much more financially burdensome than they had accounted for (Warner, Henderson-Wilson, & Andrews, 2012). Returning to a parental home in these cases is more temporary with the objective of stabilizing finances while enjoying life as a young adult at a reduced financial impact to themselves (Warner, Henderson-Wilson, & Andrews, 2012). Some young adults in this situation dream of moving out and some do make efforts to move out with a true plan in place for transitioning to mature independence, however qualitative research shows that there is a sense of “setback” amongst young adults that remain in their parental home or return to their parental home versus setting out to establish themselves as able to support their own livelihood apart from parental sustenance (Warner, Henderson-Wilson, & Andrews, 2012). For some however, there is a perspective that remaining at home is a positive and beneficial arrangement, especially for immigrant families that are unmarried and want to maintain community connection, family systems connected and maintain traditions in a family environment (Jeong, Hamplová, & Le Bourdais, 2014).

 

            There are two reasons suggested for remaining with parents is due to lack of personal responsibility for some, while for others it is simply a lack of financial stability (Stone, Berrington, & Falkingham, 2011; Jeong, Hamplová, & Le Bourdais, 2014; Warner, Henderson-Wilson, & Andrews, 2012). Whatever the reason is, there is a current trend of young adults that do not transition to full independence which may lead to a sense of defeat or a perception of immaturity which results from not being able to sustain one’s own livelihood as an adult in terms of age (Warner, Henderson-Wilson, & Andrews, 2012). While family support may have a positive impact through leadership and guidance, it is prudent that young adults be expected to find their own through expectation of work, financial management, investment, maintenance of housing, care for others as methods to help them to navigate the world around them. This implementation of responsibility stimulates young adults to learn how to make important decisions as they grow through the stages of development (French, 2013). Furthermore, it is appropriate to enable and empower young adults to find true independence by training them up in the way they should go as they move towards more mature stages of adulthood versus simply just leaving them to their own devices (Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 81:11-13). The scriptures are clear that the Lord desires that humankind listens to Him and walks in His ways. The only way that people at any stage of development are able to have great peace and wholeness in their lives is if they are taught by the Lord (Isaiah 54:13).  By learning from the Lord, and knowing the Lord’s ways, great shall be the peace of those that learn and the scriptures say in Isaiah 54:14 “in righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And free from terror, for it will not come near you”.

 

 

References

 

French, J. (2013). The role of parents in discipling young adults [online]. St Mark's Review, 224, 87-93. Retrieved from http://search.informit.com.au.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/documentSummary;dn=137029426647679;res=IELHSS> ISSN: 0036-3103.

Jeong, Y., Hamplová, D., & Le Bourdais, C. (2014). Diversity of young adults' living arrangements: The role of ethnicity and immigration. Journal of Ethnic & Migration Studies, 40(7), 1116-1135. doi:10.1080/1369183X.2013.831523

Stone, J., Berrington, A., & Falkingham, J. (2011). The changing determinants of UK young adults' living arrangements.Demographic Research, 25, 629+. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA280092866&sid=summon&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=9abb98884f094af77e97b235443ef271

Warner, E., Henderson-Wilson, C., & Andrews, F. (2012, December). Everyone's life is so different: The experiences of young Australian adults who return home. Youth Studies Australia, 31(4), 28+. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA326851715&sid=summon&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w&asid=af31b58a1ab3716cf7572451f451b5ae