Introduction
Family relationships throughout generations offer a setting for socialization and family identity maintenance. The extent to which parents believe their children have found their path and become independent influences a happy parental experience with their offspring (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2018). In today’s world, empty-nest syndrome and crowded-nest syndrome impact families and individuals within families. The paper will discuss the two syndromes, their effects on families, and the benefits and downsides of each.
Definitions: Empty-Nest and Crowded-Nest Syndromes
Empty nest syndrome is associated with sadness and fear when children leave home. Dorfner (2017) acknowledges that empty nest syndrome is not a clinical diagnosis. It may be challenging for parents to suddenly have no children at home who require supervision, care, and protection (Dorfner, 2017). They may miss being a part of their children’s everyday lives and having them as constant companions. Moreover, parents with just one kid or who are deeply connected with their role as parents may have difficulty adapting.
On the other hand, crowded nest syndrome is when children do not leave home when they are supposed to start independent life, or quickly return after they leave. The return of young adults to their parents’ homes is part of a more significant trend toward multi-generational living (The Boomerang Generation, 2022). Kail and Cavanaugh (2018) state that after moving out, almost half of the young people in the United States return to their parents’ houses at least once. Evidence shows that these young adults, known as boomerang kids, symbolize a less permanent, more transient contemporary society (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2018).
Children typically return home due to the rising costs of living independently when loaded with college debt, mainly if society’s poor economic condition and jobs are scarce (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2018). A home of one’s own necessitates financial means, which not all young adults possess (DePaulo, 2016). Another significant reason is psychological and interpersonal: children and their parents like living with one another (DePaulo, 2016). Young adults often find it much easier to have parental support and assistance than to live alone.
Pros and Cons
It is vital to discuss the impact of both syndromes on families. Empty-nest and crowded-nest syndromes negatively impact family members. For instance, when parents have empty nest syndrome, they may experience depression (Dorfner, 2017).
When young adults stay with their parents, it may negatively affect their ability to become independent without parental support (DePaulo, 2016). Nonetheless, having an empty nest is more beneficial to parents because it may lessen work and family issues (Dorfner, 2017). Starting to live without grown children also gives families a fresh chance to reconnect with each other and rediscover interests they may not have had time for previously.
Living in an empty nest does not threaten the happiness of elderly parents unless they have already experienced social isolation. The benefits of the post-parental stage include increased intimacy, self-actualization, and enhanced relationships with children (Swaim, 2022). On the contrary, the disadvantages of an empty nest are anxiety, existential uncertainty, and grief (Swaim, 2022).
From my perspective, it is natural to be sad when children leave home. Nevertheless, parents may require some time to explore and revive those elements of their identity that remain outside of parenthood to aid the grieving process (Swaim, 2022). Thus, the empty-nest syndrome is natural, whereas the crowded-nest syndrome is dangerous to children’s future because they may not be capable of making decisions, developing a career, and living without parental support and assistance.
Conclusion
To conclude, empty nest syndrome is connected with parents’ grief and worry when young adults leave home. Crowded nest syndrome occurs when children do not leave home when they intend to establish independent lives, or return home quickly after leaving. Both harm families, but empty nest syndrome is more natural because parents enable their children to build their future. Hence, when children stay with their parents, they cannot learn to live independently.
References
DePaulo, B. (2016). Why are so many young adults living with their parents? Psychology Today. Web.
Dorfner, M. (2017). How you can enjoy the empty nest? Mayo Clinic. Web.
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2018). Human development: A life span (8th ed.). Cengage.
Swaim, E. (2022). Moving from an empty nest to post-parental growth. Heathline. Web.
The boomerang generation: Who are the boomerang kids? (2022). Pew Research Center. Web.