Zoe Shcheglova, 501

Living away from one's parents makes young adults more independent and responsible.

The circumstances and the timing of young people leaving home change with social, cultural and economic developments. In the 1950s and 1960s, leaving home was closely associated with marriage, employment and education. In particular, the shift to earlier marriages between 1940 and 1970 meant that young people left home earlier during this period. In the 1970s, the age at which they left remained about the same, but their reasons for doing so changed. As early marriage declined, the drop in those who left to marry was matched by those who left to form out-of-marriage relationships, and a greater percentage than previously, particularly young men, left to be independent.

Further changes occurred in the 1980s, with dramatic increases in the numbers of young people staying on at school to year 12, increasing numbers undertaking post-secondary education, and, later in the decade, as the recession hit, rising unemployment for 20-24-year-olds. Now, young people are more likely to be living with their parents than previously, more likely to be partly dependent financially on parents even if they have left home, and more likely to leave and return home at least once as their circumstances change. At the 1991 Census, 40 per cent of 20-24-year-olds lived with their parents, compared with 35 per cent in 1979. Today, according to the US Census Bureau, 59 per cent of men and 47 per cent of women between 18 and 24 depend on their parents for housing, some living in college dorms but most at home. Also, 14 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women ages 25 to 34 are dependent on their parents for housing.

Nowadays kids that won't go away are representing an international phenomenon. The Italians call them "mammon", or "mama's boys". The Japanese call them "parasaito shinguru", or "parasite singles". In the United States they are known as "boomerangs", and in the U.K. they are called "KIPPERS", which is short for "kids in parents' pockets eroding retirement savings". U.S. census data for the year 2011 showed that almost 20% of Americans between the ages of 25 to 34 were living with their parents. For those aged 18 to 24, the number is 59% of men and 50% of women. Surveys in the United Kingdom and Japan suggest a similar situation in those countries. 

Another trend of the 21st century is a tendency towards moving back in with parents after a long gap. Studies have revealed that among people aged 65 to 69 who had experienced a change in their living arrangements, 17 per cent said it was because an adult son or daughter had moved back in. the two main causes of what is being called the “Boomerang Generation” are soaring rates of relationship breakdown and growing career instability.

Arguments for living away:

1. Separation from parents and heading towards independence is natural.

The average child wants to be independent starting from childhood. Children crave and seek independence whether it is learning to tie his/her shoes and/or mastering such tasks as riding a bicycle without any parental assistance. Children feel confidence when they master tasks. By mastering tasks, children develop a sense of competence and self-worth.

As children enter adolescence, they strongly assert their independence as a part of their individuation process. They are becoming adults and are exploring avenues which afford their increasing autonomy. This gradual separation from the parents is part of establishing independence and is expected. It is a rare adolescent who doesn't attempt to self-individuate.

In fact, one is considered to be an adult when one graduates from either high school, college, and/or technical school, finds a job, and establish their own living arrangements sans parents.

Many young adults consider it a badge of honor to be financially independent and living on their own even if they are struggling. At least, in their estimation, they are independent adults who are learning the lessons of life. Even if they worry regarding paying bills and meeting certain financial obligations, they prefer to make their own way and refuse to ask their parents for assistance unless it is an extremely dire emergency.

2. Leaving home makes it possible for young adults to live with a partner.

Live in relationship can be a basic stage for marriage. It is a perfect opportunity to rehearse the future marriage and to check whether you are ready for a solo flight of your life.

But in case of living at your parents’ house it is impossible to live with the partner or often even to invite him/her to sleep over, as it is not your own house, so you are not the one defining the rules. What is more, presenting your partner to your parents earlier than it was expected might be embarrassing, let alone the cases of presenting once again at the breakfast table.

3. Leaving home a way to escape helicopter parents.

Some adults refuse to grow up and assume adult responsibilities such as obtaining a job and/or living independently. Many of them have been so overindulged and shielded from assuming responsibilities by their parents. Their often well-meaning parents maintain that their children should have a life as stressfree as possible. They portend that children should never experience any type of frustration ever. They do all that is possible to afford their children the easiest life possible.

4. Moving out from parents is an opportunity to practice caring for your own needs.

The longer youngsters stay at their parents’ home, the more it is likely that they will not learn to face up to their responsibilities. Leaving the parental nest and living on your own is also a perfect opportunity to practice caring for their own needs by caring for clothes, cooking, shopping and cleaning. Everyone needs to learn to live as an independent adult. Many youngsters have very little experience shopping or cooking for themselves, budgeting or running their own household. These are skills they need to learn, and as long as they have their parents to lean on, the stimulus for learning them will not be there. They are to find that the good life is not spontaneously generated out there.