Loan and Equity Help

The growing reluctance of Britain’s twenty- and thirty-somethings to fly the parental nest is straining family life – and finances – to breaking point, researchers have warned.

In fact, according to the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) newly released annual report on the latest social trends, almost a third of men and a fifth of women aged between 20 and 34 live at home with their parents.

Taking figures from the second quarter of 2008, the report reveals that 29% of men aged 20-34 and 18% of women of the same age lived with their parents. This compares with 27% of men and 15% of women in 2001.

The fallout from this ‘boomerang’ generation is both emotional and financial, according to Parentline Plus. Following the ONS report, the independent charity has renewed its call for better support for parents of young adults.

Parentline Plus reports that money worries, clash of lifestyles, and young adults treating the family home ‘like a hotel’ are all piling on the stress. And in some more serious cases, parents are dealing with physical and verbal aggression, alcohol abuse and drug taking.

Of course, not all parents have such difficulties as drug addiction to contend with. For most, the high cost of education and student debt and lack of affordable housing are the primary reasons that offspring are delaying setting up a home of their own.

Money wise

Parentline Plus reveals that trying to get their children to look for work – either instead of college or after they have graduated – is a major preoccupation of today’s parents who are buckling under the strain. The charity claims that debts and high property prices often force offspring to be a source of financial drain on their parents, and reveals that one in seven parents with adult children have re-mortgaged or taken out loans in an attempt to help.

Top tips for encouraging kids to fly

• Make sure you and your partner present a united, but compassionate front to your child.
• Make sure you aren’t running a hotel – charge rent, ask for contributions for bills and insist on your child helping with all housework and chores.
• Don’t just hand out cash. Find ways to support your child to make independent, empowering decisions for themselves.
• Start the process of communication with your child by talking things through in an open and compassionate way. Don’t talk about deadlines or give ultimatums before you’ve had a chance to talk honestly with them.
• Once you’ve had the necessary conversations, be fair but firm. Set a move-out date, and request a plan.