iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Wealthy Young Adults More Likely Than Poorer Peers To Live At Home

The Huffington Post  |  By Posted: 04/26/2012 3:02 pm Updated: 04/26/2012 3:40 pm

One Percent

Apparently having a warm little nest makes it tough to leave home.

Young adults from affluent families are more likely to live at home than their poorer counterparts, a new study from Australia’s Melbourne Institute has found (h/t the Wall Street Journal). Three quarters of 20-year-olds from wealthy backgrounds live at home, while less than two-thirds of young adults whose families used welfare still rely on them for financial support, the report finds.

The discrepancy is largely explained by the fact that young adults from poorer backgrounds tend to be financially independent because they have few other options. Low-income families are often either unwilling or simply unable to continue supporting their children into adulthood, said Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark, a co-author of the study.

On the other hand, young adults from privileged backgrounds often have brighter economic futures because they receive more support for their education, which tends to lead to better job prospects, according to the report.

The study also found that young adults of all backgrounds are now more likely to be bunking with mom and dad instead of paying their own rent. And it’s not just in Australia. More young adults in the U.S. are now living at home than any other time in the last three decades, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Last year, 5.9 million, or 14.2 percent, of 25-to-34 year olds lived at home, the WSJ reports, citing U.S. Census Data.

And those living with their parents are more likely to be men than women. Men between the ages of 25-34 are more likely to live with their parents compared to women of the same age.

FOLLOW BUSINESS

Apparently having a warm little nest makes it tough to leave home. Young adults from affluent families are more likely to live at home than their poorer counterparts, a new study from Australia’...
Apparently having a warm little nest makes it tough to leave home. Young adults from affluent families are more likely to live at home than their poorer counterparts, a new study from Australia’...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 85
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3  Next ›  Last »  (3 total)
10:32 PM on 04/28/2012
Our American Society and culture is all too messed up in American Dream and Capitalist Society. These is no shame for kids to live with their parents and its to their advantage and family bonding that will help them in their adult life when they have their own kids. American Dream makes you spend, spend and spend money you don't have and make the 1% Americans rich at our expense.
03:19 PM on 04/27/2012
This article is worthless because it doesn't state what income range is considered affluent. Also, the reason kids raised on welfare aren't living at home may be because they're collecting welfare checks for themselves now. (The welfare mentality does pass down from one generation to the next.). The article, also, doesn't say if the children are working or sponging.

In the US, prior to more modern times; there was nothing unusual about children living at home until they married. Affluent or not, what is the sense in maintaining 2 households for appearance sake when it's more economical not to if family members get along.

I'm a middle class widow and my 20-something son moved back in with me after spending 5 years in the Navy to get the educational benefits of the GI Bill and is currently attending our state university in town. He has enough money coming in to get his own apartment, but why should he? He pays me for the extra household expense incurred by his living here which is about 1/4 of what he'd pay for an apartment and banks the difference to save for his own home when he graduates with an in-demand degree. It makes no difference to me if he's here or not. Just because someone lives with their parents doesn't mean they're sponging. There are many good reasons for a child not to have his own domicile, especially in these economic times.
Reneauj
Only the truth be told....
01:50 PM on 04/27/2012
I see there is nothing on the Huff to read today...
01:25 PM on 04/27/2012
I have had experience in outreach/charity work, but also have spent many years in South America. Unmarried children living at home in the poorer or, presently, the struggling sector of society, is very common and expected. My observation is that poor adult children are more attentive to the needs of the entire, extended family---grandparents included. They are more religious, having to depend on God alone when they are without material needs. They did not grow up with all the distractions that transport "rich" kids out of the home or into their secluded cyber-world. In poor communities, the family is not used or abused, but they really do care and share. This is a general trend I have seen. How many grandchildren visit their rich grandparents in the nursing home?
Money breeds a decreased value system, no matter how you try to prevent that from happening. Rich parents: Do you want to see how much your children really love you? Then find a worthy charity and give it all away. (Buy yourself a cozy condo first!) Claim the tax write-off and allow your children the challenge of working, saving, and growing into appreciative and loving, giving adults (maybe). If this sounds like an attack on rich kids and you are one, just look in the mirror and ask yourself what you have done to show love to your parents---without being paid or asked. Because they have money does not mean they don't long for your company.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LSULinebacker64
TRUTH, FAITH, & TRUST in your HEART, SOUL, & MIND
12:10 PM on 04/27/2012
A Mother's Jealousy of her Daughter... That daughter isn't staying because that house aint no place for 2 Women...
When the daughter has her man over Mom is getting to close to him so that Daughter wants out no questions asked...
When the son has his Lady over Mom is going to pick up her attitude with aggression and insult that lady and make herself feel more powerful on & over her son...
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
K8sMum
01:32 PM on 04/27/2012
if all these are your experiences, i sincerely feel sorry for you.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LSULinebacker64
TRUTH, FAITH, & TRUST in your HEART, SOUL, & MIND
11:46 AM on 04/27/2012
Another part to this Study needs to be put to-get-her or together... Of those more young men are stayin home than women are... Get back to those Mothers... Ask them,

Are they wanting their boys to stay home longer and closer to them so they can be taken care of, if the time comes? I'm 48 and still my Mother is still going crazy because she has 4 Sons and none of them live around her... Mom just doesn't want her boy to go and wants him to stay as long as possible... A MOTHER'S LOVE FOR HER SON!! Beggin them to stay close to home or just stay home live with her and protect me SON!!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Canefighter
I post my thoughts on subjects, not opinions.
11:18 AM on 04/27/2012
Sounds more like the people I have seen in the OWS movement. At least the parents get them out of the house when they say they are going camping. I know, I know will probably get some comments on this.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JustinP213
I dislike all political parties.
11:00 AM on 04/27/2012
I don't give a crap. As long as they're not costing me any money, they're free to live at home as long as they want.
10:43 AM on 04/27/2012
Makes sense. Why waste money sooner?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
dadw5boys
Disabled Vietnam Vet
10:31 AM on 04/27/2012
For some reason people think that 7 Americans can not live in a 2 bed room apartment but 20 Mexicans can .
The New Economy has turned a 2 bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room into a 3 bedroom with a kitchen . The larger the Living room the better more room for Bunkbeds .
10:25 AM on 04/27/2012
Nice propaganda ploy to further demonize the wealthy. Attack their children now.
12:50 PM on 04/27/2012
wealthy people kill puppies
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
09:41 AM on 04/27/2012
Perhaps the wealthier ones have more of a sense of entitlement than their less monied counterparts. possibly.
10:16 AM on 04/27/2012
Or perhaps they're wealthier because they live at home. Perhaps the wealthier ones have more loving and compassionate parents. Possibly.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
K8sMum
01:34 PM on 04/27/2012
lots of 'perhaps' there. nothing of substance, tho.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
disgusted2012
01:26 PM on 04/27/2012
@fergie
Add immature to that. Fanned & Faved.
photo
acarioti
Al Carioti lives in Orlando, Flo
09:38 AM on 04/27/2012
No shocker here! Lazy, unmotivated, 'kids' living in luxury. They have no incentive to leave...nor will they be able to make their own money on their own.
10:17 AM on 04/27/2012
generalize much?
10:47 AM on 04/27/2012
Only when it meets his political agenda to demean successful (affluent?) classes. Class warfare advocates would argue this is more reason to extract more (taxes) from successful segments to drive pain equity. Fact is that young people are suffering the lack of ability to acquire JOBs. Deal with the root cause and the accountability for it.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
09:37 AM on 04/27/2012
Not from where I stand, anyway. THey all seem pretty unmotivated and on the poorer side.
09:27 AM on 04/27/2012
In my case it is pregnant 31 year old daughters with 3 kids, 2 in diapers, with the daddy of the 4 living 3 miles away, while they date. Granny is a little on the down side this morning.
lol