Feathering the Nest or Flying the Coop? Ethnic and Gender Differences in Young Adults' Coresidence in 1910

Abstract

Children's contributions were an important component of the family economy at the turn of the century. This article uses data from the 1910 Census Public Use Sample to disentangle gender and ethnic variations in coresidence with parents. Bivariate results indicate greater coresidence of women; this reverses after controlling for gainful employment and ethnicity. Work outside the home bought freedomfrom parents to a significantly greater degree for women. Young men who were best able to contribute financially to the family were more likely to be coresiding, suggesting that they received stronger incentives to remain in the home. Irish and German families benefitted from the presence of sons, whereas Jewish households stood to gain from the contributions of both sons and daughters. Relative to the "new" immigrant groups, Black families relying on the contributions of coresident unmarried children were at a disadvantage.