By leaving their parents' home, young people can practice and develop a range of skills essential to becoming adults. We present some benefits of emancipation.
Last update: January 13, 2022
The emancipation of young people is not only positive, but necessary for a correct psychological and emotional development. Thus, after adolescence, and already in early adulthood, young people must take on a series of responsibilities reflecting their path towards autonomy.
In this process, emancipation plays a fundamental role as the first step towards the independence of the family unit. But what exactly are the benefits of empowering young people?
Before answering, it is important to remember that the moment of leaving the family home is put off more and more. According to Eurostat data, in Spain the average age of emancipation is around 30 years. The economic situation and job insecurity prevent many young people from having a home of their own.
On the other hand, there is also a change in mentality compared to previous generations. Nowadays emancipation is planned with greater caution and foresight and you are expected to have some financial and personal security before taking this step.
But the figure of the eternal adolescent is also common, who prefers to stay at his parents' home to maintain a lifestyle devoid of responsibilities.
What are the benefits of emancipation for young people?
Given the current situation, it is worth asking what benefits emancipation offers during youth and why it is necessary to promote and facilitate this process.
In reality, it is a question of accompanying cognitive maturation with actions that allow the application and practice of the tools and skills acquired.
A 25-30 year old person already has sufficient maturity to start leading life on their own, but in the parental home these skills are limited.
1. Responsibility
Having a home of your own involves acquiring infinite responsibilities. You have to take care of yourself, of the house, of the economic and domestic aspects.
Not having external support, you experience the consequences of your actions firsthand and you are forced to plan, foresee and resolve so that everything goes well.
2. Decision making process
Emancipation offers many opportunities to exercise decision-making skills. From choosing what to invest in the monthly budget, to deciding which cleaning products to buy or how to organize the time available to fulfill all the tasks and obligations.
Previously, it was others who did this thought process for us. Now we have to analyze the different options, their pros and cons, choosing and being able to rectify if the results are not as expected.
3. Troubleshooting
One of the areas where the difference is more experienced than living with parents, and it is now the young man who has to solve the daily mishaps that may arise.
From broken appliances to leaks, or conflicts with the neighborhood. For the first time, it is up to us to identify the problem, find a logical solution and implement it.
4. Autonomy
As children we dream of reaching adulthood in order to act alone, self-manage and not depend on the directives of others. And this reality becomes clear after leaving the parental home. The emancipated young man he can freely decide on his diet, his schedules or his activities.
There will no longer be anyone who will urge you to follow a certain diet, get enough sleep or take care of your bathroom and your spaces; But, of course, you will be the only one affected by your good or bad decisions.
5. Self-esteem
The development and practice of all the above skills has a direct consequence on self-esteem. This is not built only on the basis of beautiful words and thoughts, but through personal improvement and the achievement of challenges.
By taking responsibility, self-image improves; the young man begins to perceive himself as capable, determined and diligent, which increases his confidence.
6. Personal fulfillment thanks to the emancipation of young people
We cannot forget that we are social beings imbued with a culture that pushes us to independence and individuality, and in which emancipation is expected after a certain age.
Therefore, failure to achieve this can cause high levels of frustration and feeling of failure. On the contrary, taking this step increases the feeling of accomplishment and opens the door to future individual projects.
The benefits of empowering young people lead to adulthood
The benefits of emancipation are possible because it offers the opportunity for personal development and growth that do not occur in other contexts.
Each case is different and, as we have anticipated, current social circumstances do not favor emancipation; however, it is a fulfilling and necessary experience in most cases.
