Results of a new Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) research report, presented at this week’s AIFS conference in Melbourne, showed family background and gender are key factors in determining when young people leave home.
The study of 146,000 young people shows just over 40 per cent of those in their late 20s from Greek, Chinese and Italian backgrounds have left home, compared to more than 60 per cent of those from Australian, British and Irish backgrounds. Greek Australian males, followed by females are the most reluctant young adults of all to leave home, according to this study.
Deputy Director of AIFS, Dr Daryl Higgins told Neos Kosmos that, in terms of ethnicity, men of Greek background and then Greek women tend to stay at home longer. The ones who were most likely to have left were those of Anglo-Saxon background.
Apart from family background and gender, other key factors that help explain differences in why people stay at home or leave, are the type of family, ethnicity and weather they live in the country or the city, Dr Higgins said.
“The study was part of an Australian Census Longitudinal Data set, so rather than just looking at a snapshot, we are actually looking at the same people in 2006 and than again in 2011. From previous studies, we know that cultures such as Greek, Chinese, Italian are all those where family is a big priority, where there is a sense of obligation for looking after family, a sense of reciprocal expectations and they are what’s often called collectivistic cultures; whereas Anglo-Saxon cultures are more likely to be seen as individualistic, with less emphasis on family obligations.”
The results also showed a gender gap in the age people are leaving home. One in five young men – compared with one in 10 young women – are still at home in their late 20s.
“We can make jokes about home cooking and having your washing done, but we also know there is a lot of realities that press in on the lives of young Australians – they may be trying to study, they may be struggling to find work, trying to save up for mortgage – and there can be cultural differences around these expectations,” Dr Higgins said.
In what was the first time the Australian Bureau of Statistics released Australian census longitudinal data set, another important finding showed that gender plays a role in some young adults that see their home as a revolving residence.
“Boys are less likely to leave home, they leave later but they are also more likely to return at some point,” Dr Higgins said.
Alex Marcou, final year student of Science and Law at Monash University, is 24 and still living with his parents.
Having studied for six years, Alex says he is planning to move out from his parental home once he has a job.
“It suits me to stay at home. It’s an attractive idea to share place with roommates – some of my mates live on campus and I’m pretty jealous of them. They say that once you get your independence life is very different, so I’m looking forward to moving out but at the moment I can’t afford it.”
Another interesting finding of the study highlighted the role that metropolitan versus rural and regional areas have in decision making.
“Those who are in metropolitan areas are more likely to be the ones staying at home. Part of the explanation may be the high prices of housing in inner city areas. If you have grown up in middle class family in areas with well established infrastructure and close to university or work, that’s a very strong motivation to stay living with your parents,” Dr Higgins told Neos Kosmos.
Alex Marcou is an example of this.
“I live close to university so it’s very convenient to stay at home.”
“Of course, I see – especially with Greeks – why they don’t want to leave. The family is very tight. Then, there is mum’s cooking and cleaning, everything,” he says.
“Though I wouldn’t stay home because of that – I can always come over for a dinner.”
Neos Kosmos facebook page was buzzing this week with numerous comments of our readers who saw the study findings.
Many comments supported that staying at home is the best way for young people to prosper and afford a home, while others mentioned ‘too good fasolada’ and the luxury of living rent free and with Greek mothers doing everything for them as a second important reason.
“Living at home is rent free, we don’t have to pay board. Easier to save while being at home. The cooked meals are a bonus as well,” Thomas Arvan wrote.
Several comments also outlined the guilt trip that Greek parents put them on once they decide to leave.
“Massive guilt trip from family when you want to move out, especially before marriage,” Adam Alembakis wrote.
And there were Greek mothers who made it clear their boys are welcome for as long as they want to stay.
Toni Dimas said: “It doesn’t matter if they are 20 or 30 or whatever age, our job as parents is to make sure our kids have a roof over their heads and it doesn’t matter if it’s my roof for as long as they need rent free!”
At the age of 27 and employed, Jonathan Angelopoulos fits perfectly in the findings of the AIFS study.
Senior estimator at constructions company and engaged, he tells Neos Kosmos several reasons played a role in him staying at parental home.
“Before I got engaged I was saving for a house that my fiancé and I have together. Secondly, I wasn’t earning the funds I am earning now – if you move out earlier whatever you earn literally goes to your amenities, your rent. But most importantly – I actually enjoy my parent’s company,” Jonathan says.
“We had a pretty traditional upbringing and are quite conservative in our customs and traditions – I aspire to do that with my children as well – but I actually enjoy the company of my parents. I’m also involved in some of their business, so it’s convenient being at home.”
For Jonathan, who will be moving out after his wedding day in January, it’s a tight Greek family connection he will miss most once he is out.
“With my grandmother living next door to us, our house was always like a coffee shop. One thing I will miss is having that sort of busyness in the house.”
With opinions that living with parents delays adulthood and lacks responsibilities, Jonathan doesn’t agree.
“Through time, you should be able to pick up a couple of things. Rubbish bins go out on Sunday. When the clothes is out on the line and dry, bring it in.
“It doesn’t come down to – ‘oh, you have to be independent’. You learn independence automatically when you have to.”
And when his Anglo-Saxon friends question him about why is he still at parental nest, Jonathan simply says:
“You are renting because you moved out; I own a house because I stayed at home.”
For more information about the study, visit www.aifs.gov.au