(82) “There is a senseless notion that children grow up and leave home when they’re 18, and the truth is far from that,” says sociologist Larry Bumpass of the University of Wisconsin. Today, unexpected numbers of young adults are living with their parents. “There is a major shift in the middle class,” declares sociologist Allan Schnaiberg of Northwestern University, whose son, 19, moved back in after absence of eight months.
Analysts cite a variety of reasons for this return to the nest. The marriage age is rising, a condition that makes home and its pleasantness particularly attractive to young people. A high divorce rate and a declining marriage rate are sending economically pressed and emotionally hurt survivors back to parental shelters. For some, the expense of an away-from college education has become so excessively great that many students now attend local schools. Even after graduation, young people find their wings clipped by skyrocketing housing costs.
A mother says, “It’s ridiculous for the kids to pay all that money for rent. It makes sense for kids to stay at home.” But sharing the family home requires adjustments for all. There are the hassles over bathrooms, telephones and privacy. Some families, however, managing the delicate balancing act. But for others, it proves too difficult. Michelle Del Turco, 24, has been home three times—and left three times, “What I considered a social drink, my dad considered an alcohol problem,” she explains. “He never liked anyone I dated, so I either had to hide away or meet them at friends’ house.”
Just how long should adult children live with their parents before moving on? Most psychologists feel lengthy homecomings are a mistake. Many agree that brief visits, however, can work beneficially.
76. There was once a trend in the U.S. that ( )
A.young adults left their parents and lived independently
B. with the marriage age rising, young adults spent more time living with their parents
C. middle-class young adults stayed with their parents
D. divorced young adults moved back to their parents’ home
77. Which of the following is not the reason for young adults returning home?( )
A.They want to seek emotional comfort after divorce.
B.They are too naïve to live independently.
C.They find housing cost is a serious problem for them.
D.It’s difficult for them to afford the expense of away-from home college education.
78. The disadvantages of young adults’ staying with their parents are the following except ( )
A.the difficulty to support a large family
B. the inconveniences in everyday life
C. parents’ interference in children’s privacy
D. excessive restrictions of children’s behavior
