Young American Adults Living in Parental Homes

Zhu Xiao Di, Yi Yang, Xiaodong Liu

W02-3: This paper reviews the literature of young adults (ages 25-34) living in parental homes in regard to gender difference, racial difference, family structure variation, parental resource gap, personal income gap, and the long-term trend. Our models examine the effect of personal income, parental resource, and race on the living arrangements of young adults. Most of the investigation is drawn from two datasets: Current Population Survey and Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Our model results demonstrate strongly that young adults’ personal income is the major factor that constrains them from independent living. Over time, patterns of young adults’ living with parents concur with economic situations such as the income distribution, especially that of young adults…