Are They Really Mama’s Boys/Daddy’s Girls? The Negotiation of Adulthood upon Returning to the Parental Home

Abstract

This article explores how living with parents affects the ways emerging adults construct their self‐identity. Data are from in‐depth interviews with 30 young adults who returned to live with their origin family after a period of residential autonomy. Respondents perceive adulthood as a psychological state, attained through a process of assuming responsibility for one’s actions and learning how to interact with other adults (particularly parents) from a position of equality. Nonetheless, an economic component remains important, mentioned by respondents who contributed to the family economy and those who sought to avoid doing so. Successfully viewing oneself as an adult is gendered, with daughters less likely to perceive themselves as equals in interactions with parents.