Adult Children Living at Home

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 51% of adult children 18 to 24 years of age and 11% of adult children 25 to 34 years of age are living at home. As defined by the Census Bureau, these figures include adults who are living in the homes of their parent(s) and unmarried college students who are living in dormitories. With societal shifts that have led to changes in the age of marriage, educational attainment, and employment opportunities, there have been significant changes in the transition out of the parental home. This change has considerable implications for adult children and their parents. This entry describes the historical shifts that led to these changes; impacts for families in the financial, emotional, and social domains; and the relevance ...