Virtual Entrepreneur

Mark Taylor
The UK used to have a popular sitcom ‘Sorry!’, which starred Ronnie Corbett as a son still living with his overbearing mother while in his 40s. The character was famous for apologising for everything that he did, including to his overbearing mother despite all the situations she put him in, hence the title of the programme. In Brazil it’s not uncommon to see a similar situation, as it can take children a long time to move out of home. Unlike their North American and European counterparts. Why it’s not so common for them to leave home is hard to say.

I’ve been an indirect ‘victim’ of this as I have been living with my in-laws for the past 2 years. Although my Brazilian wife and I bought an apartment several months ago she’s in no rush to move in, and decorating and furnishing the apartment has become a protracted affair. Whereas I’m aching to regain my independence and live in a half decorated apartment. Based on other Brazilian and foreign friends, and their anecdotes this is not uncommon, and the moving out can take a lot longer in some cases where houses are redecorated over 1 or 2 years.

It can be equally common for those teenagers and young adults with middle and upper class parents to start degrees, while living at home, and then change their degree once or twice. Meaning that they end up living at home for a significant amount of time. Whereas in Europe and North America it’s common for young adults to complete their degree away from home on campus or similar at a University. Often those middle and upper class young adults will go on to complete a second or even third degree, and to coin a phrase become ‘professional students’, meaning they live with their parents for a significant amount of time. In general it’s common for middle and upper class Brazilians to study post degree, although whether this is for fun, to try and complete in the tough job market, or just to live with their parents is hard to say.

The Brazilian wages are dramatically different to those in Europe and North America, so in some instances it’s understandable that a son or daughter might not be able to afford an apartment or house. But despite this I have various friends, and friends of friends, that can afford yet still choose not to move out.

There are 2 sides to the independence argument though. You can argue that young adults at 18+ ought to leave the home to gain their independence, and University is often that trial by fire. The process is character building, establishes independence or course etc. If you‘re not leaving home it‘s easy to be lazy, have your Mother (or Father) wash your clothes, prepare your meals, tidy your room etc.

The flipside to the argument though is perhaps it causes a reduced family bond to leave home. Brazilians tend to have very strong families, and a strong sense of protection between the parents and children, with the direction changing as both get older. This is something that has arguably declined in Europe and North America, and the press and other social commenters often wax lyrical about. I have a mixture of Brazilian friends, some of which do genuinely seem to want to stay with their parents and some of which prefer having their socks washed, meals prepared etc. by someone else. Perhaps there’s something we can learn from the former.

The UK is certainly changing though, as I’m sure must be other European and North American countries. With house prices increasing at many times inflation there is a new phenomenon of children returning home after University, particularly in the South-East of the UK, where it isn’t possible to buy a house on a starting salary as a first time buyer. Often in this situation they may return home for several years to save on spending rent, and to put money towards a mortgage deposit. So perhaps there’s a future of young adults that won’t be so dissimilar from Brazilian young adults.

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