The research, conducted for budgeting account provider thinkmoney.co.uk, has revealed that 17 per cent of live-at-home adults do so because they prefer to, rather than be on their own or with friends.
For practical reasons, the action sounds sensible. Cuts down on the need for extra housing, service bills, and the need to find the money to live independently, rather than setting foot on the housing ladder or renting their own place. Some young adults could be working hard toward a career that takes many years to establish, and fully intend to care for their parents when they reach their goal.
Ah. That puts a different slant on the motivation. The adult children take advantage of their parent's generosity.
But the benefits of living at home are not just financial. Four out of five parents, 84 per cent, admitted to doing the laundry for the grown-up children living with them; 83 per cent said they did the cooking; 82 per cent the food shopping; 55 per cent do their ironing and 25 per cent even clean their lodger's bedrooms.
So the offspring treat their parents like servants, which is even worse. Not only do they save money and eat home-cooked meals, but they don't lift a finger to contribute to the chores either.
Likely, these people who have learned how to solicit would grab the closest person's boat and push the owners out.
You could argue that people are formed from their birth—some are strong and resilient, whereas others are passive and accepting. But even the gentle souls can learn with the proper example or test.
Needless to say, I launched into a separate life at the age of 18, when I married far too young. I made many mistakes, but each one taught me how to strengthen my trusting nature. When my first husband and I separated, I left the home of my birth and arrived in England completely alone and friendless. I soon found a job as a nanny.
In another example, my neighbor's son has just moved home again after 10 years in America, originally living off his wife's parents. He never did more than one week's work, found he wasn't suitable for farm labor, and then gave up. Admittedly, he's not well. However, his wife's earnings kept them in their own home until she kicked him out. Now, he's continuing in the same vein. No work, and living on his mother's generosity. She blames herself for not insisting he find work as a teenager.
Great advice on eHow for how to set goals here. http://www.ehow.com/how_7916924_set-adult-kids-living-home.html
What are your thoughts on offspring living at home?