Grow Up? Not So Fast
Meet the twixters. They're not kids anymore, but they're not adults either. why a new breed of young people won't—or can't?—settle down
How Can a Parent Help?
A few simple tips to aid your child's transition into adulthood

Inside the World of the Twixters
A TIME Poll
Parlez-Vous Twixter?
This stage of life isn't solely an American phenomenon

Are young people today taking too long to settle down?

Yes
No
Don't Know



Growing Up Online
A world of computers and video games
[5/10/1999]
Growing Up in America
Through the eyes of children
[8/8/1988]
View All Children Covers
Indicates premium content

E-mail your letter to the editor
Parlez-Vous Twixter?
This stage of life isn't solely an American phenomenon. It's popping up around the world under different names
email a friend Save this Article Most Popular Subscribe

Posted Sunday, January 16, 2004
C  A  N  A  D  A
Boomerang Kids
A growing population of young Canadians are living in their parents' home and delaying starting families of their own. Experts point to a tight job market.
Median age at marriage
Men: 28 Women: 26
Average age at birth of first child Women: 27.7

E  N  G  L  A  N  D
Kippers
The acronym stands for kids in parents' pockets eroding retirement savings. Increasing numbers of British twentysomethings are staying with Mum and Dad as a refuge from rising costs.
Median age at marriage
Men: 29.7 Women: 27.7
Average age at birth of first child Women: 29.7

F  R  A  N  C  E
Tanguy Syndrome
The name comes from a 2001 film about a charming 28-year-old who refuses to move out of his parents' apartment despite their comical efforts to get him out. The movie highlighted the trend and sparked debate.
Median age at marriage
Men: 29.2 Women: 27.1
Average age at birth of first child Women: 30.4

G  E  R  M  A  N  Y
Nesthocker
Literally translates as nest squatter. One researcher says the reluctance of so many Germans to go out on their own could be attributed to the fact that they regard their parents as friends.
Median age at marriage
Men: 30.3 Women: 27.1
Average age at birth of first child Women: 29

I  T  A  L  Y
Mammone
A description of the young men and women who won't give up Mamma's cooking. The number of them living at home has risen to nearly 50% in the past decade, perhaps the highest rate in Europe.
Average age at marriage
Men: 30.5 Women: 27.6
Average age at birth of first child Women: 28.4

J  A  P  A  N
Freeter
The term, a combination of free and arbeiter, the German word for worker, describes an unmarried young adult who job hops and lives at home. The trend has even been debated in parliament.
Median age at marriage
Men: 28 Women: 27
Average age at birth of first child Women: 28.6



The Appeal
By: John Grisham
A Thousand Splendid Suns
By: Khaled Hosseini
7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club)
By: James Patterson



Photo-Illustration by C.J. Burton
Table of Contents
Subscribe to TIME

ADVERTISEMENT

D-Day: 24 Hours That Saved the World
Commemorate the 60th Anniversary with this milestone collector's book
Browse the bookstore
QUICK LINKS: Grow Up? Not So Fast | How Can a Parent Help? | Back to TIME.com Home
FROM THE JANUARY 24, 2005 ISSUE OF TIME MAGAZINE; POSTED SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2005

Copyright © 2004 Time Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Subscribe | Customer Service | Help | Site Map | Search | Contact Us
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Reprints & Permissions | Press Releases | Media Kit