Has the stigma and shame of adults living at their parents' home FINALLY be laid to rest due to the pandemic?
In today’s society, individuals and groups have become very comfortable with vocalizing their thoughts, opinions, and judgements of other people and countries. The trend of adults living with their parents began increasing since the early 2000’s and now has become a hot topic in 2020 due to economic downturn, a global financial crisis, and now the COVID-19 Pandemic. So, why is there so much hostility towards the “unluckiest generation”, according to the Washington Post, and still a stigma surrounding the so called “Boomerang Kids”?
The term Boomerang Kids, also called the Boomerang Generation, describes any high school or college student living in the 21st century that moves back into their parents’ house after previously “leaving the nest”.
There are many professionals that understand the reason for individuals to move back home and/or continue to live in their parent’s residence into their late 20’s/early 30’s. However, many experts have expressed their opinions that these individuals might not ever learn the necessary skills to become independent adults.
In the 2005 Paramount Pictures movie Failure to Launch, Matthew McConaughey stars as a 35-year-old man who lives with his parents and fully depends on them to function in his daily life.
Watch the trailer for Failure to Launch below:
While experts debate the mental and emotional setbacks regarding boomerang kids, many others have decided to take a judgmental route when discussing the topic.
CNBC.com published an article in June 2019 titled, “This is the age when it becomes embarrassing to live with your parents”, meant to be a personal finance advice piece. However, the opening tone of the article was more shaming and judgmental than helpful and empathetic.
“Around age 28, it starts to get old. That’s when the situation begins to get embarrassing,” this according to a survey from TD Ameritrade regarding adults living at home.
The article cites “student loan debt” as the only reason for the influx of adults moving back home, but fails to mention economic recessions, wage gaps, & cultural reasons as other major factors.
In 2019, the percentage of US adults ages 25-34 living at their parents was 17%.
A new crop of Boomerang Kids has emerged due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and according to real-estate site Zillow, 2.9 million adults were forced to move back in with parents or grandparents from March to May this year. 2020 is turning out to be a year of revelations, change, and growth for the United States. Experts believe that American’s might start look at the living situation as less irresponsible due to the pandemic.
And what’s so embarrassing about making responsible decisions??
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