While many Gen Z-ers are opting to continue living at home as the price of rent and homes skyrocket, the way men and women view their living situations appears remarkably different, according to a new Sallie Mae report.
While 47 percent of young adults who graduated college within the past five years are living with parents or relatives, men were far more likely to say they were “not ready to move out” compared to women.
While 45 percent of male graduates who live at home said they weren’t ready, only 28 percent of female graduates said the same in the survey of more than 1,000 recent graduates.
Why It Matters
Women are far outpacing men when it comes to higher education. The Pew Research Center discovered a large drop in male Hispanic high school graduates turning away from four-year colleges. While 42 percent were in attendance in 2011, the number fell to 33 percent in 2022.
White males had a substantial drop, as well. While 49 percent attended college in 2011, the number moved to 40 percent in 2022. The gap was significant for white high school graduates, as female white graduates were the most likely to enroll in college, at 50 percent.
The inclination to not feel “ready” to move out of their family’s home may signify larger shifts happening as it concerns gender dynamics amongst young people.
What To Know
Across the board, a significant portion, 47 percent, of young adults who graduated college within the past five years are still living with parents or relatives.
However, their reasons for staying at home may vary significantly for men and women.
While rent costs can take up a hefty chunk of a college graduate’s first salary, not all of those staying at home are doing it solely to avoid higher costs of living.
While 45 percent of men who stayed living at home said they didn’t feel “ready,” only 28 percent of female graduates said the same.
They were more likely to say they were staying with family to save money or that they like living with their family. Altogether, 66 percent said they are staying at home to save money, and 33 percent said they liked living with their family.
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll said the gap reflects the differing ways Gen Z men and women were raised.
“Gen Z women have been raised in a society that undervalues them so they’ve had to be over-prepared just to be seen as competent,” Driscoll told Newsweek. “Men on the other hand, haven’t faced the same pressure. Ever. The result is a generation of young women who are scrappy and self-reliant, and a cohort of young men who’ve been told they have time. But they don’t.”
What People Are Saying
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “The gender gap here isn’t just about rent money. It’s about responsibility, expectations, and how we’ve coddled young men while demanding resilience from young women.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “We’ve seen a growing trend in recent years of young men wanting to live at home with family members for longer periods of time. Some of this is financial, as job opportunities in their area may not have pay adequate enough to be able to live on their own. The other component – which has been highly discussed – is the social aspect. Whereas some Gen Z women are ready to get their adult lives on track, some of their male counterparts may be fine having more years to develop before leaving the nest, and those years can form new habits others may or may not gravitate to.”
What Happens Next
Driscoll said there could be far reaching impacts for outdated gender norms and the greater gap that exists between men and women today.
“Parents often expect daughters to help with chores and caregiving, while sons get a pass. It’s no surprise who feels more ready to take on adult life,” Driscoll said.
“If we don’t shift these dynamics, we’ll keep seeing delayed independence, stalled careers, and a generation of men emotionally and professionally outpaced by their female peers. The gender gap isn’t closing. Women are sprinting forward while too many young men are still tying their shoes.”
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