The Future of Childhood

Boomerang children

  • Children who return to their family home post-university, or never leave home

    • Also known as mammoni and bambiā€” (Italy), or ā€˜parasite singlesā€™ (Japan)

      • Japan views these parasite singles as a ā€˜damaged generationā€™ as they are not taking up their rightful place in society

  • Causes:

    • High youth unemployment

    • Cost of living

    • Shortage of affordable housing due to older people remaining in their homes for longer

  • Impact:

    • Parents have less anxiety about their children leaving home, but are also not sociologically older

    • ā€˜Accordion familiesā€™

      • These are ever-expanding multi-generational families that extend to encompass both the younger and older generations

      • These lead to a fall in the birth rate

        • Children have less independence/are more dependent, date less and therefore have fewer children