Globally, youths are considered the leaders of tomorrow as they are the people expected to take diverse leadership positions from the old generation in the different sectors and industries as well as in government. But even with all this opportunities, many of the youths today have failed to launch as many have not successfully joined these sectors after getting all necessary support from their parents in their childhood stage especially in academics. This has significantly led to many youths depending on parents for the basic needs. This is an area that has attracted many researchers to conduct surveys in order to establish the reasons many youths are still living at home. This essay seeks to unfold reasons research is suggesting for young adults still living at home.

According to surveys conducted by Office for National Statistic, in UK alone, since 1997-2011, about 3.0 million youths ranging between 20-34 years were still living with their parents, a 20% increase from 1997. According Furstenberg, Rumbaut and Settersten (2005), In a normal life cycle it’s expected that after one has completed his or her studies, the next thing should be to look for a job, become employed and later become self-independent (Furstenberg, Rumbaut & Settersten 2005).

However, for many youths achieved as many are faced with various challenges that have led to some fully depending on the parents even at their adulthood.

In the USA for instance, according to painter’s (2010), various factors such as inadequate affordable rented accommodation, un-functional mortgage market, un-employment and low wages for the employed were considered to have led to many youth living with their parents (Painter’s 2010).

Many of these challenges are common globally especially in developing countries.

Other factors include health related issues, especially for the disabled children. Many are unable to cross over to fully independent adults as they depend on full support from their parents. Psychological perception by the young people and parents may have led to many youths opting to live with their parents especially where parent feel they need to give their children time in order to become fully independent. Many youths also fear anticipated challenges of living independently whereas everything, they need, is made available by their parents.

Marriages play a key role to many youths in becoming fully independent. From the biblical perspective, as stated in (Genesis 2:18-24 King James Version) marriage and family is of significance in determining individual structure of life. Through marriages, many youths can move with their spouse to their own home for privacy reasons especially away from their parent. According to (Ephesians 5:31) a man ought to leave his parent’s house and be joined with wife to become one. But even with such biblical principles many young adults are unable to adopt such principles due to various challenges especially in raising a family with high levels of unemployment.

Parents also play a key role in creating a comfort zone for young adults. Many parents fail to create boundaries for their children on when they are expected to leave their parents home. Young adults tend to take advantage of this; there is no pressure for youths to leave their parents house. By providing everything for their children with the basic needs especially youths many develop the fear of missing and not being in a position to support themselves when they become independent.

Economical issues in different countries have also led to many youths not being able to become fully independent as many are unable to afford basic need due to fluctuations of prices for the basic needs. The purchasing power during the recession also led to many young adults not being in a position to afford the high living standards as many could not afford high rates for rental accommodation, as well as the basic.

Conclusion

Young adults aged between 18 to 35 are mainly affected by different environments both internal and external environments that make them unable to launch to become independent. It’s the responsibility of every youth to determine his or her future by establishing ways to counter most of the challenges that may hinder them from becoming fully independent. Youths ought to explore various survival alternatives rather than depend on their parents especially in their adulthood.

References

Furstenberg, R. G. Rumbaut and R. A. Settersten (2005). On the frontier of adulthood: Emerging

Themes and new directions. Eds. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago.

Office for National Statistic, (2011). Young adults leaving with parents in the UK, 2011.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171776_266357.pdf

Painter, G. 2010. What Happens to the Household Formation in a Recession? Research Institute

for Housing America, Special Report.