Leaving one’s parents’ nest has been the norm for generations, yet there are changes in the societal structure that lead to unexpected outcomes in familial relationships. Young adults who fail to find their place in life may come back and live with their parents to alleviate some of the financial pressure. Such people are called boomerangers, and their return to parental houses brings both benefits and advantages in terms of emotional and financial aspects to the members of a household (Seccombe, 2018). Challenges begin with the hierarchical positions established between relatives in the past. Adults who live with their parents may find themselves trapped in a role of a child, as their parents can fail to perceive them as equals (Seccombe, 2018). Boomerangers will either revert to being emotionally dependent or expect constant conflicts with their parents. The support they will receive may give them the necessary time to find a new job, yet it can also provide young adults with a false sense of stability, as their responsibilities will lessen temporarily.
In turn, parents will suffer from the presence of their adult children just as much. The financial strain from an additional household member will put an end to many plans that require long-term financial planning (Seccombe, 2018). Parents of boomerangers will be able to retire eventually, but it might not be without conflict and at a later date than planned. Older adults whose children have failed to find stable financial ground are more likely to continue working for longer before retiring (Seccombe, 2018). While the presence of adult children may give their parents some emotional comfort, the strain on a household may be detrimental to an entire family.
Reference
Seccombe, K. (2018). Exploring marriages and families (3rd ed.). Pearson.