Boomerang Generation: The Children Who Move Back To Their Parents

One of the fastest growing trends in the western world is the boomerang generation. This generation represents children who move back to their parents after being independent for a while. Being independent can mean a few different things in this context as well. They may have lived in dormitories during their college years, or they may be older and move back because they have lost their jobs.

Some experts also say that young people who are at least a little financially dependent on their parents are part of the boomerang generation. This group may have their own apartments, but they receive financial support from their parents.

The trend has skyrocketed in Western European countries and North America in recent years. On the other hand, it has not been as large in other parts of the world as Eastern Europe and Asia. Either way, the whole concept would have been unthinkable not too long ago. So what really caused the start of the boomerang generation?

The boomerang generation: is it a good thing or a bad thing?

There are some experts who have decided to focus on studying the high number of children who move back to their parents in a positive light. They claim that these young people are not afraid to ask for help, which may mean that they have higher levels of emotional intelligence. They also say that it can mean that you have a better relationship with your families than previous generations have had.

But the majority of those who study this phenomenon think it is a bad thing. There are lots of possible aspects that may have led to the start of the boomerang generation. Here are the most likely and most significant:

• High unemployment for young people and increased living costs.
• The inability of the millennial generation to adapt to the realities of life.

High unemployment and increased living costs – children moving back

It is no secret that the labor market has not been at its best in Europe. After the economic downturn in 2008, (also known as the “Great Recession”, because it is the worst we have had since the Great Depression in 1929), many jobs have been eliminated, and it has become much more difficult to find work.

This affects every group in society, but it affects young people the most. According to official data, the EU has an average unemployment rate of 15% for people under 25 years of age. In some countries, such as Spain, the figure is closer to 40%. This goes without mentioning the other factors that contribute to young people’s inability to earn a living. Things like unskilled work and extremely low wages are also big problems.

If you add inflation and increased living costs (especially when it comes to rental rates), it is not surprising that many young people realize that it is not economical and move back to their parents. So, for the most part, the main reason why the boomerang generation exists is economic hardship.

The inability of the millennial generation to adapt to the realities of life

But money is not the only reason why young people have started living with their parents in the long run. There are many problems to look at here, but some, as helicopter parents, really stand out. Because of such things, the millennial generation is not confident enough to start an independent life.

Self-confidence is a trait that has been important throughout human history. It is especially important now because of all the changes that are happening in our society. But the gap between the millennial generation’s expectations and reality has led many of them to feel lost. They are caught between two completely different ways of seeing the world:

• Their parents’ way, because for them the idea of ​​”taking an education will give you a good job” was still true.
• Their younger siblings’ way, because they have realized that the idea, in today’s world, no longer works.

When they follow their parents’ advice and get an education, many young people find themselves without opportunities to get a job. But because they believe that the world is still as it was 50 years ago, they decide to continue studying. They get a master’s degree, learn languages, take unpaid internships, etc.

The consequences of all that? In almost 30 years, many young people earn less than € 1,000 a month in Europe, even though they work 40 hours a week (and sometimes much more). To make matters worse, most of them are unable to adapt to this new social reality. They continue to try to achieve the same lifestyle as their parents, but they follow a route that no longer works.