boomerang kid

Back-home adult child

A boomerang kid is an adult child who returns to live with their parents after a period of independence, typically due to financial difficulties, job loss, or the end of a relationship.

The term references the Australian throwing weapon that comes back to the thrower.

Their boomerang kid moved back in after graduation when he couldn't find work.

The phenomenon became increasingly common after the 2008 financial crisis and during periods of high housing costs.

Related

gig economy · young adult · dependence · quarter-life crisis · student debt · job market · unemployment · cost of living · basement · demographic shifts · social mobility · readjustment · laundry · kid · child · teenager · parent-child relationships · emotional resilience

Opposites
family living arrangement

boomerang kidflew the nest

Left parental home permanently

homeowner · renter

financial/practical self-sufficiency

boomerang kidself-made success

Achievement without external help

breadwinner · provider · young professional · trust fund kid

Family

boomerang, boomerangs, boomeranged, boomeranging, kidded, kidding

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G