Different Pathways out of the Parental Home: A Comparison of West Germany and Italy

Abstract

YOUNG ADULTHOOD AND LEAVING THE PARENTAL HOMEThe unique importance of leaving parental as a crucial step in young adults' personal development relates to fact that this event belongs to both family and residential spheres: involves changes not only for individual leaving but also for family he/she leaves (Lelievre and Bonvalet, 1994:1649). In addition, there are also quite powerful meanings and expectations associated to an independent residence from parents: it symbolizes achievement of individual autonomy from family of origin (Bendit, Gaiser, and Marbach, 1999; Gaiser, 1999; Goldscheider and Goldscheider, 1993a). In a life course perspective, the process of leaving is viewed as an integral part of establishing economic and emotional independence from parental home (Holdsworth, 2000: 201).Nonetheless, leaving parental is a complex process. Above of all, there is not only one way of departing, but young adults leave for diverse reasons. Not only rationale for leaving coinciding with marriage, unmarried family formation, education, employment, is different, also meanings for individual development, for parent-child relationships as well as for institutional contexts differ. However, in contemporary societies, this process seems not only delayed, but also increasing accompanied by contradictions. Young people have high life style expectations and constitute a large market for consumer goods; yet they spend a longer period of time in higher education and experience a more difficult entrance in stable employment (Cremer and Wahler, 1995; Potter, 1990). Consequently, young adults' pathways to autonomy are mediated, in different ways, by support of their families (Ginsborg, 1998; Goldscheider and Goldscheider, 1993b; Saraceno, 1997).FACTORS AFFECTING THE PATHWAYS FROM THE PARENTAL HOMEIn literature there are three important theoretical frameworks which take an interest in individual decision of departing from parental home: economic theory, rational choice theory, and theory of reasoned action.The economic theory assumes that young adults will leave parental when their utility living in an independent residence exceeds utility they receive in parental (Ermisch, 1999; Ermisch and Di Salvo, 1995). Parents, however, might contribute to their children housing costs also when young adults depart from home. Yet, parents' financial transfer decisions in each state (co-residence and child lives apart) will depend upon parental income relative to young adult's income.' According to this approach, if parents do not provide financial support, likelihood for a young adult to live away increases with income ratio: young people with higher income or poorer parents are more likely to live away from home. Differently, if parents make a contribution higher young adult's income less likely he/she will be living away, because his/her higher income will reduce parental contribution. As a consequence, young adult will be able to enjoy only a lower level of consumption than in parental home.The rational choice theory expands economic perspective acknowledging existence of different types of parental resources and of different pathways out of parental home. Thus, whether young people live with their parents or depart choosing one of possible destinations (with partner, for education or employment, for autonomy and independence) is a function of young adult's preferences and of restrictions and opportunities of environment (Goldscheider and DaVanzo, 1986; Michael and Tuma, 1985). De long and her colleagues - extending typology of Goldscheider and DaVanzo (1989) - developed a four-class typology of parental resources and discussed how these might have different effects on departure of children. According to these authors, parental resources can take form of material or nonmaterial resources and each category can be then distinguished according to its transferable or nontransferable nature (De Jong, Eiefbroer, and Beekink, 1991:58-61). …