This is second and final part of looking at how the economy is changing families. I know many young adults who feel the economy has messed with their life plans.
Not only is the economy contributing to the increase of young adults moving back home to live with their parents, they are also waiting longer to get married and have children.
In 2010 ABC reported 15% of young adults said they delayed getting married and 14% delayed having a baby due to the economy. Census data of 2010 showed this tend with data released back in September showing marriages of young adults ages 25-34 fell to a new low with only 44.2% marrying. At the same time births declined by 6% among young adult women ages 20-34. This makes sense when a young adult is having a hard time securing a job after graduation or has lost a job along with their source of income that they would decide to put off life decisions such as buying a new home, having a wedding, or raising a child.
It seems most young adults are delaying these life plans in the hope that the economy with turn around and they will have a steady income again. However, Andrew Sum, an economist and director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University said “Their really high levels of underemployment and unemployment will haunt young people for at least another decade.” To expand on Andrew Sum statement with knowledge of family dynamics the American family norm will likely continue to change for decades to come as a result of the economic recession.
Jennifer Wilmoth, LAMFT
jwilmoth@ GROWcounseling.com
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