Do modern children stay at home too long?

[NotAnOtter]

is that wherein the problem lies?

in bygone times they would have buggered off by 14 into 'service' or somesuch

is the teenage phenomenon a modern day creation?

anna, you raise some very points

anna for prime minister! (or at least home secretary)

very good points

gah

ds is 16 now and quite old /mayure enough to go to university

i agree Anna

he should be 'done' with home by 19-20

he is looking a a degree in medicine or dentistry

could be bloody eons away

i think it was the case that at 14, they were considered old enough to join the adult world, unless uber highclass aristocracy. so were often too busy earning a wage to cause any trouble.

The average age for marriage in 18th and 19th Century was mid-twenties. It was totally normal for unmarried women to live at home.

The flip side is letting them go too early...

I was looking into sending DD to a French nursery for a few days a week, but they will only take her full time. At 2.5. All day from 08:00 - 5:00. 5 days a week.

Apparently this is the French system...

Society, family structures have changed since WW1. Many males do seem to stay at home longer, but also many males have left home and returned..through having children and seperating with the mother and economic responsabilities. Income seems to not to represent outcome. Some boys in some families who have become main income earner stay longer as they seem to take on main earner role in the family (ie, helped look after mum and siblins). This is a really complex and individual situation to discuss, intresting though to see everyons views.

wow vixma and mabanana how interesting

i quite fancy ds helping me bring up the babies

his income would be good

I think they are all too comfortable living home...
I have already warned the little lad inside me that 1) he is not allowed to stay in there past the due date and 2) as soon as he can work, he will earn his own pocket money and 3) he has to be gone and living his own life by 18 (with our support of course!)

This bugs me too. My elder brothers still live at home and they are 26 and 28. I moved out 3 years ago when I turned 18 and my sister left when she was 16. I think they just like having things done for them.

I think it is bad for the mental health of teens not to work. School is quite often not a rewarding place whereas at work you do your hours and get paid. You are also surrounded by older people who can act as role models (good ones hopefully).

I had a saturday job in a shop from the age of 14, it was really good for me and provided the money I needed to socialize. I also did a lot of babysitting. Dh worked in a garage washing cars (wouldn't be allowed these days due to health and safety). There don't seem to be jobs available for teenagers any more.

Gateau - Why would they want to move when they get everything they want - without having to pay a penny? I am a teenager and I pay housekeeping every week aswell as helping out with chores. So do all my friends who are not in education. In the current economic climate its not suprising that many teenagers can't afford to move out.