Gen Z Men Who Live at Home Feel Less Ready to Move Out Than Women
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
While many Gen Z-ers are opting to continue living at home as the price of rent and homes skyrocket, the way men and women view their living situations appears remarkably different, according to a new Sallie Mae report.
While 47 percent of young adults who graduated college within the past five years are living with parents or relatives, men were far more likely to say they were "not ready to move out" compared to women.
While 45 percent of male graduates who live at home said they weren't ready, only 28 percent of female graduates said the same in the survey of more than 1,000 recent graduates.
Why It Matters
Women are far outpacing men when it comes to higher education. The Pew Research Center discovered a large drop in male Hispanic high school graduates turning away from four-year colleges. While 42 percent were in attendance in 2011, the number fell to 33 percent in 2022.
White males had a substantial drop, as well. While 49 percent attended college in 2011, the number moved to 40 percent in 2022. The gap was significant for white high school graduates, as female white graduates were the most likely to enroll in college, at 50 percent.
The inclination to not feel "ready" to move out of their family's home may signify larger shifts happening as it concerns gender dynamics amongst young people.
Students look on a wait for the start of the Commencement Ceremony at Columbia University in New York on May 21, 2025.
Students look on a wait for the start of the Commencement Ceremony at Columbia University in New York on May 21, 2025.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Image
What To Know
Across the board, a significant portion, 47 percent, of young adults who graduated college within the past five years are still living with parents or relatives.
However, their reasons for staying at home may vary significantly for men and women.
While rent costs can take up a hefty chunk of a college graduate's first salary, not all of those staying at home are doing it solely to avoid higher costs of living.
While 45 percent of men who stayed living at home said they didn't feel "ready," only 28 percent of female graduates said the same.
They were more likely to say they were staying with family to save money or that they like living with their family. Altogether, 66 percent said they are staying at home to save money, and 33 percent said they liked living with their family.
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll said the gap reflects the differing ways Gen Z men and women were raised.
"Gen Z women have been raised in a society that undervalues them so they've had to be over-prepared just to be seen as competent," Driscoll told Newsweek. "Men on the other hand, haven't faced the same pressure. Ever. The result is a generation of young women who are scrappy and self-reliant, and a cohort of young men who've been told they have time. But they don't."
What People Are Saying
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "The gender gap here isn't just about rent money. It's about responsibility, expectations, and how we've coddled young men while demanding resilience from young women."
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "We've seen a growing trend in recent years of young men wanting to live at home with family members for longer periods of time. Some of this is financial, as job opportunities in their area may not have pay adequate enough to be able to live on their own. The other component - which has been highly discussed - is the social aspect. Whereas some Gen Z women are ready to get their adult lives on track, some of their male counterparts may be fine having more years to develop before leaving the nest, and those years can form new habits others may or may not gravitate to."
What Happens Next
Driscoll said there could be far reaching impacts for outdated gender norms and the greater gap that exists between men and women today.
"Parents often expect daughters to help with chores and caregiving, while sons get a pass. It's no surprise who feels more ready to take on adult life," Driscoll said.
"If we don't shift these dynamics, we'll keep seeing delayed independence, stalled careers, and a generation of men emotionally and professionally outpaced by their female peers. The gender gap isn't closing. Women are sprinting forward while too many young men are still tying their shoes."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Mercedes Formula One Team Reports Massive $120 Million Revenue Boost
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Mercedes Formula One team has reported a significant revenue increase of approximately $120 million (as per today's exchange rates). Sixty percent of the earnings come from sponsorship and licensing. From the data published by the UK's Companies House, as published by Mercedes Grand Prix Limited, the parent company of the Mercedes F1 team, reported a turnover of approximately $856 million (£636 million) in 2024, which is a stark increase from 2023's $735 million (£546.5 million). Consequently, profits too have jumped significantly. Mercedes recorded an approximate $112.7 million (£83.8 million) net profit in 2023, with the number rising to $162 million (£120.34 million) in 2024, an increase of approximately $50 million. Mercedes' British driver George Russell pulls into pit lane after winning the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 15, 2025. Mercedes' British driver George Russell pulls into pit lane after winning the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 15, 2025. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images It is noteworthy that Mercedes received a significant share of the F1 prize money for securing second place in the 2023 Constructors' Championship, which increased its revenue in 2024 since payments are processed the following year. As a result of the positive earnings, the team's three shareholders, Mercedes-Benz Group, team principal Toto Wolff, and Ineos, will receive an ordinary dividend of approximately $168 million (£125 million). However, it remains to be seen what impact Mercedes' performance in the 2024 season will have on its earnings, considering it secured fourth place in the championship. In addition, it would be interesting to see a change in the percentage of earnings from sponsorships, given seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's exit from the team after the 2024 season. Speaking of 2025, the season has been dominated by McLaren thus far. Mercedes achieved its first win in the previous round in Montreal, where the team's lead driver, George Russell, started from pole position and led the race for the majority of the laps to secure his first win of the year. However, rumors are doing the rounds that Russell is on Aston Martin's radar for the 2026 season, when the sport enters a new era of regulations. Newsweek Sports reported Russell's comments, who confirmed the interest shown by other teams but emphasized his intention to continue racing for Mercedes. He said: "No, I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest. I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear. "And, you know, I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. There haven't been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, you know, especially around Max because, like I said numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max if everybody could, if every driver had a clean, no contracts for next year, Max would be the number one for every single team. And that's understandable. "But ultimately there are two seats for every race team and I knew if I continued to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place. We're in no rush to do contract negotiations."
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Calls Green Tax Credits in 'Big Beautiful Bill' 'Scam'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump criticized his own federal budget legislation in a post on Truth Social Saturday. "I HATE 'GREEN TAX CREDITS' IN THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL," the president said, adding "They are largely a giant SCAM." The bill, which includes $4.9 trillion package packed with tax breaks, budget cuts and new Medicaid work requirements, made it past the House last month in a close 215-214 vote, with two Republicans breaking ranks to vote "no," Newsweek previously reported. The next hurdle, opposition and infighting in the Senate. Now, Trump has stated even he has problems with outlined initiatives. "I would much prefer that this money be used somewhere else, including reductions. 'Anywhere' would be preferable!" Trump exclaimed. "Windmills, and the rest of this "JUNK," are the most expensive and inefficient energy in the world, is destroying the beauty of the environment, and is 10 times more costly than any other energy," the President explained, adding "None of it works without massive government subsidy (energy should NOT NEED SUBSIDY!). Also, it is almost exclusively made in China!!! It is time to break away, finally, from this craziness!!!" This is a breaking news story. Updates to come.
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Kroger To Close 60 Stores Across US: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kroger announced plans to close 60 of its supermarkets across the United States over the next 18 months, representing about 5 percent of the Cincinnati-based company's 1,239 Kroger-branded grocery stores across 16 states. The popular grocery retailer revealed the closure plans while reporting first-quarter earnings on Friday but has not specified which store locations will be affected or released a list of impacted stores. Newsweek reached out to Kroger on Saturday via email for comment. Why It Matters Companies close store locations for various reasons. While shifts in consumer shopping behavior and lower demand can cause stores to close, corporations often choose to shutter underperforming locations. Sales dropped slightly to $45.1 billion compared to $45.3 billion for the same period a year earlier according to Kroger earnings data. The move comes as grocery retailers nationwide face mounting pressures from changing consumer habits, inflation, and increased competition from discount chains and online retailers. More than 2,500 store closures are planned across the U.S. this year, according to The Mirror. What To Know Kroger expects the 60 store closures to provide a modest financial benefit to the company, according to a regulatory filing. In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closings. The company indicated that resulting savings will be reinvested into customer experience initiatives across remaining locations. The closures affect Kroger's extensive footprint spanning 16 states, though the company has remained tight-lipped about specific locations. The grocery retailer told CBS MoneyWatch that it will not be releasing a list of the affected stores. This lack of transparency has left employees and customers uncertain about which communities will lose their local Kroger. However, Kroger says it is committed to supporting displaced workers. All employees at affected stores will be offered roles at other Kroger store locations, though details about relocation assistance or wage protection remain unclear. The timing coincides with broader challenges facing traditional grocery retailers. Many chains are grappling with rising operational costs, changing shopping patterns accelerated by the pandemic, and fierce competition from warehouse clubs, dollar stores, and e-commerce platforms. FILE - This June 17, 2014, file photo, shows a Kroger store in Houston. Kroger Co. FILE - This June 17, 2014, file photo, shows a Kroger store in Houston. Kroger Co. AP Photo/David J. Phillip What People Are Saying Kroger company statement: "As a result of these store closures, Kroger expects a modest financial benefit. Kroger is committed to reinvesting these savings back into the customer experience, and as a result, this will not impact full-year guidance." Director of Media Relations/Corporate Communications Erin Rolfes told Newsweek in an email response: "In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closing of approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: "For some major retailers, 2025 is becoming a year of consolidation. Retail locations that have struggled in recent years to remain profitable due to rising costs and less demand are being shuttered, as companies focus their efforts on more successful stores. The hope is these closures will ultimately produce more fiscal and operational efficiency, but it will come at the cost of customers who favored these locations having fewer options." Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of previously told Newsweek: "These aren't random casualties; they're strategic amputations of unprofitable limbs to save the corporate $15+ minimum wages to supply chain inflation, all crushing their razor-thin margins. Combine this with the march of e-commerce and changing consumer habits post-pandemic, physical retail becomes a luxury many companies can no longer afford." What Happens Next The 18-month closure timeline suggests Kroger will implement the plan gradually, though specific dates and locations remain undisclosed.
