Leaving Home of Migrant and Dutch Young Adults: Parent-Child and Peer Relations

This study examines the role of parents and peer relations on home-leaving behavior among young adults of migrant and Dutch descent. Data come from the TIES survey including the Turkish (n = 493) and Moroccan (n = 486) second generation and a native Dutch comparison group (n = 506). Competing risks models are applied to distinguish between patterns of leaving home for different reasons. Results indicate that native Dutch young adults mainly leave home at relative young ages to attend further education, whereas in particular women of the Turkish second generation are more likely to postpone leaving home until marriage. Friendship and peer relations are of importance: having close friends outside the own ethnic group decreases the chance of leaving home for union formation. Conflicts with parents accelerate the process of leaving home for women of all origin groups, though only when they leave home to gain independence.