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= Nest-leaving by Young Adults = Nest-leaving (Home-leaving) is a phrase commonly used to refer to adolescents and young adults leaving their parental homes to establish independent residences. Home-leaving, a widely accepted practice in most cultures and countries, indicates young adults' or adolescents' transition to adulthood. Research suggests this transition could start as early as 18, but most young adults are usually out of their parent's residence by age 27. Young adults leave home for various reasons and sometimes return before leaving permanently. Apart from the obvious reasons such as education and marriage, family structures,  parents' economic resources, and parent-child bond, among others, affect young people's decision to leave or stay home with parents. Regardless of the reasons for leaving home or returning to the nest, such a decision is considered a key milestone in a young adult's life and a key indicator of adulthood/maturity.

Age, Family structure and parental resources and Nest-Leaving
Research shows that most young adults leave their parental home between 18 and 27 years old. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, Dey and Pierret analyzed the process of young adults' household formations. They found that about 90% of young adults aged 27 would have left their homes at least once. However, a growing body of evidence also suggests that some young adults increasingly stay home till 30 and beyond before leaving their parental home. This difference in timing or onset of home-leaving has been shown to be mediated by family structure and parental economic resources. Van den Berg et al., through their mediation analysis of survey data collected between 2001 to 2015 by the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), found that adolescents and young adults from non-intact families (single parents and stepfamilies) mostly leave home earlier than young adults from families where both biological parents are present. This finding is also supported by other researchers. Among those with single parents, factors such as economic resources and parental ownership of the house served as a mediator of young adults leaving home early. Van den Berg et al. found that young adults with single parents who have fewer economic resources and do not own their houses left home at a higher rate and sooner than their counterparts.

Parent-Child Bond and Nest-leaving
Although home leaving is considered a milestone in adulthood and a sign of maturity, some young adults choose to stay home due to the bonds they share with their families. According to South and Lei Lei, young adults who share a stronger bond with their parents are less likely to leave home and more motivated to return home when they leave. Likewise, young adults who do not share such familiar bonds with their parents are said to leave home early and rarely return home to live with their family after leaving. This is especially so in homes where parents are less supportive and combative towards children. Xie and McDowall also add that individuals who experience physical and sexual abuse at home leave home sooner. Likewise, young adults who experience physical and sexual abuse from outsiders are less likely to leave their parents' homes or more likely to return to their parental home after such an ordeal.

Education, Employment and Nest-leaving
While earlier studies revealed that young adults mostly left their parental homes to form independent households due to marriages, recent studies on home-leaving patterns of young adults suggest that the majority are leaving home now due to education and early employment opportunities. Both young adults and their parents' education level has been shown to impact the home-leaving pattern of young adults. Research shows that parental education level determines young adults' home-leaving timing. South and Lei Lei's analysis of longitudinal survey data from the Panel Study of Dynamics' Transition into Adulthood found that young adults with parents who are more educated leave home sooner than young adults with less educated parents. Clausen explains that more-educated parents are more likely to instill confidence and resourcefulness in their children, making them better prepared to transition into independence sooner than individuals with less-educated parents.

There are different ways in which educational attainment impact young adults' home-leaving patterns. Young adults leave home to start college or leave home after finishing their education. Young adults who have completed their education leave home sooner than those still in school. Other studies also suggest that individuals with higher educational attainments move out of their parental homes at higher rates and sooner than their counterparts. Dey and Pierret, for instance, found that higher educational attainments and higher math and verbal aptitudes are significantly associated with establishing independence among young adults. However, this is reversed in the home-returning pattern of young adults. According to Dey and Pierret, young adults with higher educational levels, specifically those with bachelor's degrees, are more likely to return home than high school dropouts. Lastly, early employment and higher wage-earning potential facilitate young adults' home-leaving behavior. Young adults with full time employment and higher wages establish and sustain household independence at higher rates. Likewise, young adults without employment or income may struggle to establish independent residences or move back to their parental homes if they can no longer support themselves.