[A_perfect_lady]

They sure do gloss over the fact that young women are much less likely to move back, and that quick toss-off of "they marry earlier" isn't it. I'll tell you what it is: mothers spoil sons but nag daughters. Most women have a pretty tense relationship with their moms during that 18-24 age bracket. Moving back, for a daughter, doesn't mean free laundry service from an adoring mother. It means nagging, warfare, stress, demands, insults... it's a misery. I love my mom but I'd have to be pretty desperate to move back. For men, though, it's a sweeter deal.

Okay, everyone go ahead and jump on me and tell me how your family is nothing like that, nor anyone you've ever known, ever.

[Borax Queen]

You completely pegged it, for me anyway. I moved out (to college) at 17, then would periodically visit or “live at home” (in between seasonal jobs, maybe two weeks tops). Everything is fine now since I live 10 minutes from my parents, but 18-24 was no fun, and I never will forget some of the insults! Especially since I am the oldest.

[momtothree]

Actually, things would have to be pretty darn bleak before I would have moved back in with my Mom. Maybe temporarily.... but believe me, I would have taken the first job offered to me. That being said, my Mom told all her kids that they “always had a back door” (meaning for whatever reason... bad marriage, loss of job etc) you had somewhere to go.

[9YearLurker]

I think you’ve described it pretty well.

[BooBoo1000]

Good for you, I like the way you think. With your attitude you are going to come out on top/ Just keep on swinging, someday you will hit one out of the park..Babe Ruth set a new home run record back in the old days, the same year he set another record, the most strike outs of any one season, his philosophy was keep swing, sooner or later you are going to get your pitch.