Failure to launch: Cross-national trends in the transition to economic independence

摘要: We analyze trends in the age of economic independence six industrialized countries, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and States. The paper compares household living arrangements, employment rates, earnings levels, net incomes as young adults rise from 18 to 34 years old. Our results show a picture generally declining independent self-sufficiency ('failure launch') among 18-34 year-old men women their early 20s mid-1980s 1995-2000. exceptions are late 30s , who have somewhat improved prospects for independence, although starting level that was well below observed same age. North America (the States Canada ) some extent U.K. offer partial this general pattern. Between 2000 rates Americans 30s, levels either remained stable or increased modestly. stability U.S. helped offset an apparent reduction male hourly wage group giving 26-34 American larger gains smaller losses compared those experienced by counterparts continental Europe. In addition, were 26 older saw bigger improvements than most closing section we speculate on possible causes such changes.