Parasite singles
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Parasite singles (パラサイトシングル, parasaito shinguru) is a Japanese expression for people who live with their parents until their late twenties or early thirties in order to enjoy a carefree and comfortable life. The expression parasitic singles is sometimes used also.
While the expression parasite single has a negative meaning, many Japanese people have no choice but to live with their parents well into adulthood for financial reasons. Nor do the parents necessarily feel unhappy about the situation. In fact, such living arrangements are traditional in Japanese society.
The expression is mainly used in reference to Japanese society, but similar phenomena can also be found in most other countries worldwide, and the use of the expression has spread.
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Origins
The expression was first used by Professor Masahiro Yamada (Yamada Masahiro) of Tokyo Gakugei University in his bestselling book The Age of Parasite Singles (パラサイトシングルの時代, parasaito shinguru no jidai), published in October of 1999. The catchy phrase quickly found its way into the media and is now a well-known expression in Japan. Professor Yamada subsequently coined the related term parasite couple to refer to married children living with the parents of one partner. However, this situation occurs less frequently and the term parasite couples is less well known, but it should be noted that this, too, is a traditional Japanese living arrangement, though its prevalence has decreased in recent years.
Situation
It was estimated that there were 10 million parasite singles in Japan in 1995. According to a 1998 survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, about 60% of single men and 80% of single women between the ages of 20 and 34 live with their parents. These numbers have been steadily increasing since 1976.
While some adult children help with the household chores or even pay a share of the rent, the vast majority do not. According to some statistics, about 85% of the children do not help with shared living expenses, but instead receive free housekeeping, laundry and meals from their parents. On top of that, about 50% of the children receive additional financial assistance from their parents (however, other sources say that 50% of the children do contribute to the living expenses).
This situation allows the children to live in considerable comfort, and while many save money, others spend all their income on luxury items, traveling, and other non-essential expenses. Many children wish to live with their parents until they marry. In the case of women, a wealthy husband is often desired to maintain the living standard.
The parents, for their part, often enjoy living with their children. Many parents want to protect their children and offer them the best possible start in life, trying to give them the opportunities they themselves never had. Parents also enjoy the company and the social interaction and try to maintain the relationship. The additional expenses for the parents due to the additional household member are usually small, as the fixed costs like rent have to be paid anyway, and the additional cost for food and other consumables is usually negligible. Many parents also see this as an investment in their future, as the children will be more obliged to take care of their parents in their old age (in Japan it is traditionally the children that nurse their elderly and disabled parents).
Causes
The primary reason for the parasite single phenomenon is economic: housing costs in Japan are notoriously high, especially in or near large cities. A parasite single who chose to live independently would on average lose 2/3 of his or her disposable income. Furthermore, they would also have to do the cleaning and cooking for themselves. Finally, establishing a household has a large up front cost for durable items as for example a refrigerator, furniture, washing machine, and other items. The security deposit ("key money"), traditional monetary gift for the landlord, and the housing agent fee can also easily exceed six months' rent; this is non-refundable and must be paid in advance. In summary, becoming independent involves large expenses, work, and a significant drop in living standard. Furthermore, as the vast majority of the Japanese population is concentrated in cities, all the employment and entertainment options desired are within reach from the parental home.
The economic advantages are enjoyed by all types of parasite singles, although there are different subgroups within the group of parasite singles. Career oriented young salarymen and office ladies could afford to live on their own, but prefer the additional financial benefits, and perhaps the company and security of living at their parents' homes. Other adult children have difficulty finding steady employment in the current difficult economic situation. They often can find only part time and low paid jobs, turning into underemployed so-called freeters who cannot afford to live independently even if they would like to. Finally, some adult children do not want to face the competition of the outside world at all and do not seek work at all, and in the worst case do not even want to leave the parents house. These children are referred to as hikikomori (引き篭り, people who withdraw from society, literally to "withdraw into seclusion").
Effects
One possible side effect of the parasite single phenomenon is the increase of the average age of the first marriage (though this is also attributable to other factors like career prospects and education, especially for women). While in 1970 women married in average at age 24 and men at age 27, this has increased to 27.4 years for women and 29 years for men in 2002. This has also resulted in women having children later in life, and fewer children overall due to the decline in fertility after age 30. Subsequently, while in 1983 there were on average 1.8 children born to every woman over her lifetime, this decreased to 1.32 children per woman in 2002. Many women also do not want to marry at all, and choose to have a career rather than a family. This, of course, makes it also more difficult for men - who usually want to marry - to find a wife.
Many parasite singles work, often having successful careers and considerable income. Yet relatively few contribute to the living expenses of the parents' household. Subsequently, they have a large amount of disposable income, and few needs for durable goods. It is said that the spending habits of parasite singles is good for the economy, but others point out that they would also have to spend the money if they were living alone, except less for luxury items and more for essential expenses. In effect, the sales of durable goods (refrigerators, furniture, washing machines) in Japan is steadily declining, whereas the sales of luxury goods, especially brand name items like Gucci, Prada, Hermes and especially Louis Vuitton (which is exceedingly popular in Japan) is booming. Overall, the effect for the economy of Japan is only a slightly different demand pattern, except for the money leaving Japan due to overseas holidays and import products.
Another effect is a possible reduction in the price of real estate and rental cost due to the increasing number of people per household.
Controversy
Parasite singles are often blamed for a large number of problems in Japan, ranging from a decline in the birth rate over the economic recession to the increase in crime. Professor Yamada especially blames the spoiled women that grew up during the bubble economy. However, many people also feel that the young adults have no option but to become parasite singles in the current difficult economic situation, having to choose between career and family. This discussion is still ongoing in Japan.