Adult children living with parents: Singapore youth debate

He described Singapore’s culture of many people living with their parents until they marry as “archaic” and said it was “(stunting) people’s emotional growth”.

Cheng added that he moved out as soon as he got a job, and said the Government should do more to help young people have their own living spaces.

Netizens divided

The issue has sparked online debate, with netizens divided. While some agreed with Cheng’s views, others had opposing views.

In the Facebook comments, some netizens supported the idea of young Singaporeans moving out, with one describing it as a valuable learning experience and saying it was ultimately a personal choice.

“Solo living is the best,” a user said.

Another agreed that moving out could help young Singaporeans become “more mature”, teaching them to manage their finances, live independently and solve everyday problems on their own. “These are valuable life skills that help them grow into capable adults.”

“’The umbilical cord’ has to be severed,” one commenter wrote, adding that moving out helps foster qualities such as resilience, independence, responsibility and accountability.

However, many netizens disagreed, with some arguing that moving out would be disrespectful to their parents.

“This is not living independently… It’s not willing to contribute to parents,” a user wrote.

Another said parents would “not be happy”, arguing that young Singaporeans would be “wasting money on rent” instead of contributing to household expenses.

“The ‘independence’ young adults say they want really is just the ability to come and go at all hours of the day or night, treating the home like a hotel without being asked what time they will be home,” they wrote.

One commenter pointed out that while living with one’s parents may seem unhealthy to some, others see it as “reasonable”, especially for “adult children with understanding parents” who genuinely want daily interaction with them and to care for their ageing parents after work.

Others described staying with their parents as the more “pragmatic” choice.

Another said the decision ultimately depends on family dynamics and cautioned against “overgeneralising”.

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