I Live with my Parents

And I Love it!

 

Vocabulary

cute	handle (2)	bachelor (2)
cozy	physician	chisel away
posh	skyrocket	companionship
loan	assistant	gainfully employed
debt	decision	desperation
utility	grateful	boomerang
couch	assume	emergency
rent	point (3)	all-encompassing
latter	hang out	chose/chose/chosen
extra	situation	on my own
dumb	recession	in terms of
chore	calculate	in the same boat
option	immature	on the rise
pay off	hit a low	irresponsible
amass	in essence	on your own
stigma	fortunate

 
 
 
 
By Judy

Physician Assistant

As a child, I always pictured myself going to college, getting a bachelor’s degree, landing a good job, and having a cute, little place of my own.

As of now, I have a master’s degree, and I work as an emergency medicine physician assistant.

But instead of waking up in a posh apartment, I hear my parents making coffee downstairs.

Living at Home

At 27, I still live with my parents.

And I love it!

That’s right.

There are continuous home-cooked meals, companionship, and I’ve been slowly chiseling away at my student loans.

Some of us are grateful — and even happy — to have a cozy place to sleep after university, even if we’re gainfully employed.

Why I Live at Home

My decision to live at home was not one of desperation. As a physician assistant, I make a good salary and would be able to live on my own comfortably if I needed or wanted to do so.

However, by the time I finished medical school, I had amassed a $150,000 debt.

With several of these loans having a 7.9% interest rate, my father calculated that my loans were increasing by $15 a day in interest alone. At this rate, it would take me 30 years to pay off my student loans, with much of it going straight to interest.

I thought of my options: Live on my own and pay rent, utilities and food costs, as well as skyrocketing student loans . . . or move back in with my parents and pay an all-encompassing, smaller monthly rent that would allow me to better handle my finances.

I chose the latter.

Family and Friends

As for my parents, they had to get used to the dumb television shows I like to watch. But they also benefit from having an extra set of hands around the house to help with chores.

In terms of romance, I do have a boyfriend, aged 33. He is not allowed upstairs in my house, and has to sleep on the couch if he stays over.

He has a place of his own. And I spend a couple of nights a week hanging out at his place.

Boomerang Generation

Several of my physician assistant friends are in the same boat as I am: we are all highly educated, professionals who live at home with their parents.

With so many young people moving back in after graduation nowadays, the term “boomerang generation” was born. About 30% of adults ages 25 to 34 still haven’t left home.

The number of young adults living at home hit a low in the 1980s — but it’s been on the rise since the recession started in 2007.

Shame

Unfortunately, there’s still a stigma attached to this lifestyle arrangement. Many people assume that we’re too immature, irresponsible and lazy to live on our own.

We’re big babies in their eyes.

My neighbors continually ask me when I am going to get married and start a family; in essence, have a “real life”.

I simply tell them that I plan to move out — eventually.

Understanding Parents

But honestly, I have no reason to do so. Moving out would mean that I would have to cook for myself, clean my place and go grocery shopping.

I am fortunate to have such loving parents, and I understand that not everyone is lucky enough to be in this same situation. Thankfully, my parents have not told me I need to move out by a certain point.

If I stay here long enough, I might get to the point where I start telling people that my parents live with me. But I still live with them, and society should be OK with that.

Questions

1. Julian’s childhood vision has always been to live with her parents forever. Is this right or wrong?

2. What is the reality? Does she reluctantly live with her parents?

3. What are the advantages of living with her parents? What is the most significant factor as to why she lives at home?

4. Are there any drawbacks or disadvantages of living at home?

5. Julian is unique in her situation. True or false?

6. Is there some shame associated with living with one’s parents?

7. All parents are understanding and accommodating. Is this correct or incorrect?

 

A. What is the situation in your city or country? I know people who live with their parents. Yes or no? Do you know any young persons who live on their own?

B. Has this arrangement been changing over the years?

C. What do (most) children desire or want?

D. In your opinion, what is the “ideal” situation?

E. What is the “solution” to this “problem”?

F. What will happen in the future?