A strong intergenerational bond between the parents and their adult children is beneficial for both of them, according to an expert. Karen Fingerman, a professor of the University of Texas, USA, conducted a research about the parent-offspring ties. The study was published in the monthly magazine of the British Psychological Society, The Psychologist.
According to Science Daily, Fingerman discussed how the changes in the social trends affect the parent-grown children relationships. These include their communication, marital status, economic circumstances and education opportunities.
She also said that these changes increase the rate of grown children living with their parents. In the survey of the Office of National Statistics, a third of adult children with aged 18 to 25 live with their parents. At these times, there is a frequent contact of parents to their adult children; however, there are still some adults who do not have ties with their parents.
"Increased contact between generations also reflects changes in the nature of young adulthood. In the 21st century, young adults spend more time in education, experience greater challenges finding jobs and delay marriage longer (if they marry at all) than those of 30 or 40 years ago. Today, a much higher proportion of young adults attend college or another form of post-high school education in the past.
"Moreover, young adults who are not married have more frequent contact with their parents than young adults who are married. A prolonged period of singlehood or serial relationship with different partners may raise the importance of ties to a parent during young adulthood," she added. The research further shows how both parents and grown children support one another with regard to psychological and their emotional well-being.
According to British Psychological Society, Fingerman stated that parent-children ties are highly rewarding although some people have contradicting norms as to whether parents must still continue to support their "already grown children" -- becoming a bit skeptical if having such ties are actually right.
