The intentions of leaving the parental home and their realization: a longitudinal analysis for the Italian context

Giulia Ferrari, Università di Roma "La Sapienza"
Alessandro Rosina, Università Cattolica, Milan
Emiliano Sironi, Università Cattolica, Milan

Italy is one of the European countries with the oldest median age at leaving home. To explain this delay the scientific literature emphasizes the importance of anthropological reasons - connected with the particular nature of the relationship between parents and children - but in the first decade of the new century economic reasons have gained importance. In order to study the different impact of structural and cultural factors on the decision-making process of becoming independent from the family of origin, panel data are necessary. Using data from the survey “Family and Social Subjects” - carried out by the National Statistical Agency (ISTAT) at the end of 2003 with a second wave at the beginning of 2007 - this article investigates the determinants of the intentions and behavior for the young adults aged between 21 and 38. Our provisional findings show a significant impact of education and occupation on the process of living the parental home. Also past experiences of partial exit and the marital status of the parents play a relevant role.