Parenting+Young+Adults


 * __Full Nest Syndrome - Adult Children Living at Home__**

Empty Nest used to be a very familiar term in households across the United States. The term is used to describe when adult children leave home to start their own adult lives. Now a new, opposite term is becoming more common, Full Nest Syndrome. This term is being used to describe adult children living at home with their parents. New statistics show an increase the number of adult children, between the ages of 22 to 34, living at home (Silverman, 1). In the past there have been cultural differences in the number of adult children living at home, with children from traditional cultures living at home more often than adult children in industrialized countires (Heath, 231). Young adults are giving many reasons for moving back home like; they are not financially ready to have their own household, delaying marriage, and lower starting income levels in the economy (Silverman, 1).

Full nest syndrome is becoming commonplace in the United States. It is important for professionals in the family services field to be aware of this new change. Adult children living in the home can have mixed reviews from the parents, some are happy to have their children close and for others it is creating a finanical burden. Professionals can help mediate the situation with both the parents and the adult children. Also professionals can encourage creating rules on how the parents and children will go about their daily lives, chores around the house, and financial responsibilites (Silverman, 1).

Silverman, Arlene. //Full nest syndrome/ Rising housing prices, education costs and other factors are causing adult chidlren to live at home longer//. the Chronicle. August, 10, 2005.

Heath, Phyllis. //Parent-Child Relations Context, Research, and Application (2nd Edition).// 2nd ed. Alexandria, VA: Prentice Hall, 2008. Print

**__Parental Distancing__** As young adults near adulthood, it is important that they distance themselves from their parents and develop their own identity. It is an essential component in the development of maturity and individuality. Young adults are moving from Erikson’s identity vs. role confusion stage and moving toward the intimacy vs. isolation stage. For this reason, young adults tend to distance themselves emotionally from their parents in order to establish their identity and gain emotional intimacy from others. This process allows young adults to view themselves and their parents more objectively, separate from their roles as parent and child. The process of distancing oneself from one’s parents can be very stressful and may take some time. Criticism and reduced contact often accompany the period of development. It can be difficult to maintain a balance of disengaging from one’s parents emotionally but also remaining in the son/daughter role. It is also important that the young adult takes a filial role, caring for his or her parents.

It is important for parents and professionals to recognize that young adults may be going through the process of distancing themselves from their parents. Parents need to understand that this is a necessary part of the transition to adulthood. The physical separations that are likely to occur during this time can be stressful for the parent and youth because the attachment bonds between them are being challenged. Family members must communicate and voice their emotions in order to maintain a healthy parent/child relationship. Teachers and professionals who work with young adults may notice that their behaviors show their desire for individuality. Young adults need to be given more independence but also need to feel supported by older adults. Parents and professionals should be aware of the changes that accompany this period of development so that they can help young adults develop into independent and responsible adults.

Heath, Phyllis. // Parent-Child Relations: Context, Research, and Application (2nd Edition). // New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2009. Print.