Baby Boomer Parents of Millennials Need to Stop Enabling Them

A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates more than two million millennials between the ages of 25–34 are still living at home with their parents and 1 in 4 is doing so at the expense of the baby boomers who raised them. They’re not working or going to school — -they’re just kickin’ it with mom and dad — and, perhaps, waiting for their big break into the world of employment. Or perhaps they’re just waiting for mom and dad to die so they can gain their inheritance.

The study also reflects the fact that most of those who work at home have a high school diploma or less and may also be adding another mouth for their parents to feed with their own child or live-in mate.

Half of those living at home are white and the majority are male. How ironic especially since the unemployment rate is 9.7 for blacks (between 25–34) and 4.2 for whites in the same age group.

“Almost 9 in 10 young people who were living in their parents’ home a year ago are still living their today, making it the most stable living arrangement for young adults,” the report said. “In 2005 the majority of young people lived independently in their own household, which was the predominant living arrangement in 35 states. By 2015 — -just a decade later — -only six states had a majority of young people living independently.

The Census Bureau study makes no reference to the circumstances that cause millennials to live at home but one can certainly make a case for the economic challenges they face as well as the after shock of the most recent Recession.

My own daughter is one of those millennials who lived at home for awhile after graduating from college. Her situation was a little different because she had a child who was depending on her for food and shelter. But I’m happy to say I chose not to enable her. As a parent, I believe I taught her that she could make it on her own — -even with the trials and tribulations of life. As a result, she moved out after a year and is now one of the working, tax-paying, siingle moms in our society.

Whatever the case may be that is causing millennials to live at home, parents must continue to encourage their adult children to leave the nest and stop enabling them so they can learn to fly on their own.