Why are so many people in their 20s taking so long to grow up?

[littleowl33]

I don't think my parents would have a problem with me moving back home - I've never discussed it with them - but I wouldn't want to. I've rented my own apartments since the end of my sophomore year of college and I've really only gone home for brief visits since then. Where my parents live doesn't really feel like "home" anymore, and I think my parents would be somewhat disappointed in me if I did come back. I might be singing a different tune if I couldn't financially support myself, but moving home would be a last resort for me.

I'm very fortunate to have found a job that enables me to live on my own and I have some great support - my boyfriend's parents are helping him a LOT with his living expenses since he's in law school full-time, and since we live together I indirectly benefit from that. As an aside, I found it really interesting, from a cultural perspective, the way his family handled his independence after college. My WASP-y parents made it pretty clear that I shouldn't expect any more financial support from them after college graduation, even if I went on to get another degree and did not have income, unless it was dire - I needed to be independent and manage my money well. My boyfriend's parents (who immigrated to the US before he was born and are a different race and culture than mine), on the other hand, would have been thrilled to have him move back home and though he didn't, they give him a great deal of support since he has no income as a student. I think it really highlighted the difference between the traditional American emphasis on being independent and his culture's attitude about familial support. They're supporting him now, and he holds up his end of the bargain by making stellar grades and building a future with a prestigious career. In turn, he will be expected to help his parents when they are older, even if it means bringing them to live with him, paying their expenses and providing constant care. On the flip side, just as my parents expect independence from me, I expect it from them to a certain extent. I'm certainly not saying I won't help them when I'm older, but the level of personal care and support exhibited by *most* WASP-y adults for their older parents is nowhere near as extensive as that of adults in some other cultures, like his. I'm not saying one style is better or worse than the other. They're just different.