Happy who like Ulysses, has made a great trip, and then returned to live with his parents the rest of his age … This aspiration, a bit outdated, back up to date. For young Americans, the journey of initiation into life ends more often at home. They have gone to university, got out, they struggle to find work and even when they got their job, they are so indebted for their education they can not afford a roof. This is the "boomerang generation", as it is called there, one that returns to its starting point, in the family cocoon.
Three out of ten young adults 25 to 34 years lived at one time or another permanently with their parents in the United States since the beginning of the economic crisis of 2007, reveals the Pew Research Center. This body of socio-economic, non-partisan and hyperactive, which one would like there the equivalent in France and Europe, launched last December a survey of 2,048 adults. He points out that 51.4 million Americans now live in a "multigenerational family" (at least two generations of adults in the same dwelling). A record since the postwar period. The proportion of 25-34 year olds living with their parents, or sometimes with their grandparents, has doubled since 1980, as already shown by the decennial census of population conducted in 2010.
The problem also as much of Europe, although it is regrettable delays in our statistical system. "One in three men and five women living with their parents," according to the latest Eurostat survey dating back to 2008 and 51 million Europeans in this situation. Old Contains more distinguished by its diversity. In Italy, 47.7% of men 25 to 34 years remain in the family fold (and 32.7% women), against 2.8% and 0.5% in Denmark. While the Italians look fondly their "bamboccioni" (big babies), the Danes are doing everything to make them go away. "In Denmark, young people receive public assistance for their education and housing from 18. These scholarships are awarded regardless of parental resources: youth autonomy is considered a right, "says Olivier Galland, research director at CNRS.
For its part, France is among the Nordic model and that of southern Europe, where the crisis has amplified the tradition of bringing together several generations of adults. As part of the Eurostat survey, INSEE has identified "340,000 women and 630,000 men who live with at least one parent or step-parents, or 8% of women and 16% of men aged 25-34 years. "
In the U.S., the multigenerational family is experienced as a convenient answer to the economic crisis and unemployment. "If there was an alleged defect with living with his parents" when you have 25 to 34 years, "Today" boomerang generation "does not have this complex," says Kim Parker, Pew Research Center . For the vast majority (78%), they are satisfied with "the arrangement of their lifestyle." And besides the figures show that families where several generations are less affected by poverty than the rest of the population.
"Family accordion"
Sociologist Katherine Newman and university, recognized expert of "working poor" across the Atlantic, invented the concept of "family accordion": it inflates and deflates at the discretion of the business cycle. But one of the factors that penalize the hardest young adults today is debt-related educational expenses: average $ 27,200 for each graduate and 1000 billion total, according to Federal Reserve Bank of New York. A huge ball during periods of unemployment and wage moderation.
But beyond the explanation of economic and financial "boomerang generation" she expresses the most profound changes in society? In France, the phenomenon of "Tanguy", the name of this young 28 year old who can not leave the parental nest, was highlighted in 2001 in the film of Stephen Chatiliez. And last month, Jean Ormesson recalled with happiness (in the Figaroscope): "I lived with my parents until the age of 35" (at 95 rue du Bac, in Paris). The lifestyle of the Faubourg Saint-Germain and its charms are democratizing Proustian would be good news after all.
Across the Atlantic, the debate rages on the implications of this return to the patriarchal family. "The Go-Nowhere Generation" (which goes nowhere), accuses Todd Buschholz economist (former advisor to George Bush Sr.), and cite the decline in driving among young people and even falling sales Bicycle. Mobility is one of the strengths of mythic America.
Conversely, Professor Robert Shiller, an expert on real estate and finance, cites the example of old farming families that housed three generations on the same farm. This intergenerational solidarity daily should help us better understand and manage the practical problems of pensions. "Family, I love you" is a good slogan.