WSJ: The Toll on Parents When Kids Return Home

[Lafalum84]

<p>

I grew up in the Midwest and it was extremely uncommon for grads (high school or college) to stay with mom and dad; it was considered dysfunctional, in fact. When I moved to New Jersey, I was struck by how normal everyone considered it to be. Perhaps it’s the Northern European vs. Mediterranean notions of family and parent-child relations.

Isn’t it obvious? It’s what we’ve just been discussing. It’s not only culture - people in the midwest can AFFORD to move out, still save some money and move ahead with their lives. New grads in the NYC/NJ area can’t afford it. If they rent an apartment, they spend all their income on rent and commuting. </p>

<p>It’s very rare that kids end up living in their parents’ basement forever. They do eventually move out. When jobs are scarce, it takes longer.</p>