In western countries do you have to leave the house when you reach 18?

[Kulotz]

I keep seeing these kinds of comments on the internet so I am curious whether they are true or not.

[Soteris]

Definitely not. It used to be more common back when the economy was better and getting an apartment or house was just as cheap as getting a good job was about just asking for it. This is obviously no longer the case. As such kids has been staying longer and longer living with their parents in recent times. It probably won't be like that forever but until the economic situation changes that appears to be a trend that will keep going.

That said, I think parents could in theory kick their kids out if they actually wanted to but obviously its not that common that a parent would have motivation to do such a thing.

[BCA6010]

There's no law forcing that, but at least in the USA, you are legally an adult at 18, and that's generally the age that people go to college, join the military, go to trade school, etc so it typically happens anyway whether the parents are a force behind it or not. Multigenerational housing is becoming more common in the USA within the last few years, mainly due to immigration by cultures that do that normally as well as the economic/housing market situation.

[Peridot25]

Americans aren’t as family oriented as other countries are. Or at least most of them aren’t. America is all about independence.
If you live at home past 18, you have to have a very good reason in order to get respect. If not, you’re seen as nothing of value to society.

[TonyMetal___86]

The fact is that the kids can live at their parents house as long as they want, for example my son can live in my house as long as he wants and he is always welcomed and will never look down on him, when he buys a house or rent one because he wants to get married and start his family than i'll surely be happy but i have no rule which says when my son is over 18, i'll kick him out or tell him that he's useless if he's still living with me!

[IslaTheWitch]

nope, in general, kids leave home when they start studies in a different city/country or when they are financially independent.

[handsomelad70]

Not in Canada, as I lived at home until 37.

[SnackTime]

It's not that way anymore. My brother and I were lucky. We never moved out. Our mom moved out. We paid $100.00 each for rent, and she helped with the food. Back in the day, it was the party house.

[Jennz6]

Sounds like fun

[SnackTime]

@Jennz6

To this day, my brother and I regret getting "Ace" drunk. Ace loved everyone. Ace loved our parties. Ace loved banana daiquiris. Ace was just one of the gang. But when she tipped over sideways, we had to cut her off.

[Jennz6]

I love them too

[normalice]

No but your parents are no longer required to care for you. A parent could call the cops on their kid's 18th birthday and have them arrested for trespassing.

I'm aware of one case when a single mother of an autistic child dropped him off in the middle of the town square on his 18th birthday. She said she just couldn't do it anymore.

[bolverk]

Not in the UK. having extended family in the same house is nothing out of the ordinary, while doing my apprenticeship I was in and out of the house when working away, and the same when I was working contracts overseas I moved out just after my 30th birthday, even then I'm within 20 min's walking distance of my family.

[Staximus]

You don't have to and it's less common now than it was when I was 18, a lot less common than when my parents were. When my parents were 18, you could work a crappy job at a gas station or a fast food place and still be able to afford your own apartment. Those days are long gone around here (Southern California)

[Apple1996]

Depends on the parents. Some are fine with their adult kids living with them. Others kick their kids out at 18

[TonyMetal___86]

What about you miss apples?

[Apple1996]

@TonyMetal___86 my parents kicked me out lol

[TonyMetal___86]

WoW, kicked their own girl from the house! Also she's a girl! 😳

[Apple1996]

@TonyMetal___86 yeah what's funny is they never kicked out any of my brothers

[TonyMetal___86]

No apples for them anymore, only the ones who treats miss apples in a good way will receive fresh apples from her 😌🍏

[Anonymous]

it used to be normal to leave at 18, now housing prices are so high many people live at home until they're 30 or older

[strateguy632]

not legally need, and many parents allow, but other parents say "pay us rent" so kid said if i pay rent it won't be to you! so moved out.

[Jennz6]

Only if you can manage to pay your rent and pay your bills, otherwise stay home with your family

[Lionman95]

No you don´t have to many do though because it´s part of a modern culture. It depends on the parents though.

[Anonymous]

No. But we are generally a much more independent society. That prizes personal success. You are looked down on societally the longer you remain at home after 18.

[jahaims]

It's less common to get kicked out at 18 as it is made out to be. It just depends on the family.

[zagor]

No, it depends on the family and the individual.

[PBandJ_Nerd]

No. You can still live with your parents in you're 20s.

[slatyb]

No, you don't but you're parents don't have an obligation to continue housing you.

[Redstang88]

Don’t have to, many choose to. It’s definitely getting less common as cost of living keeps skyrocketing

[exitseven]

No, the way things are today it is harder and harder to afford a place of your own.

[JacobJordan]

You don't HAVE to but your parents also no longer legally have to take care of you.

[JHAYES317]

Depends on what your parents choose to do, they do legally have to financially support you at 18 though…

[Tiptoetamm]

Don't have to. Do we. YES

[Bricealan]

Not in the family I was born into.

[Agape93]

You're supposed to but many don't

[BLP11520]

Not necessarily.

[NathanDavis]

no...

[Pterodon]

Nope