ABSTRACT

Over the last 30 years, the number of adult children returning home to live with their parents has steadily increased (Ramachandran, 2005). These adult children have been labeled “boomerang” children because, like boomerangs they leave a particular location, only to later return to their original starting points. There are many reasons why this may occur: (a) diffi culty fi nding employment after graduation, (b) high rental rates, (c) signifi cant debt, or (d) saving money before marrying (Clemens & Axelson, 1985; El Nasser, 2005; Gelles, 1995). Although not exhaustive, the list suggests some reason for adult children opting to return to their parents’ homes to live. In fact, as of 2003, approximately 16 million families had at least one adult child over the age of 18 living at home (El Nasser, 2005). Although this phenomenon has been examined in the popular press as well as in academia (e.g., Aquilino & Supple, 1991; Clemens & Axelson, 1985; Mitchell, 2006), family communication researchers have given marginal attention to the communication exchanges in parentadult child relationships during this unique turning point for families.