Chapter 14 Family Life Today
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The Boomerang Age The Boomerang Age
Prior to World War II, it was very common for young adults to live with
their parents even after they fi nished school, contributing to the family’s
resources until they married. After World War II, young adults began
leaving home to marry at an earlier age.
Today, however, this trend has reversed once more as young adults
are delaying marriage and living with their parents longer. There are
several reasons for this change:
• More young people are continuing their education beyond high
school. They know that most well-paying jobs now require either
postsecondary training or a college or graduate degree.
• College costs are higher today and career tracks are more complex,
causing young adults to take longer to fi nish school.
• Full-time college students are more likely to live with their parents or
other relatives to save money while they complete their schooling.
• Local community colleges are expanding their programs, enabling
more young adults to live with their parents while getting their
degrees.
Even after their education is complete, young people may return
home for awhile. Many young adults just entering the workforce have to
live with their parents because their starting salaries are low. They cannot
initially afford to live on their own. These young people continue to live
with their parents until they are fi nancially able to live independently.
For those people who do marry before the age of 25, some of these
marriages are likely to end in divorce. Teen marriages in particular have
a high rate of failure. If young adults divorce shortly after they marry, they
are more likely to return to their parental home. Some return with their
young children. They may stay with their parents until they are able to
make arrangements to live on their own.
All of these trends have caused some social scientists to label
this “the boomerang age.” Some adult children may leave and then
return home, often several times, before they leave their parental
home for good.
Did You Know?