Prolonged Co-Generational Living: The Case of Israeli Arab Parents and Their Emerging Adult Children

Abstract

Parents’ feelings and attitudes toward Prolonged co-generational living—emerging adult children (young adults in their mid-late twenties or more) living at their parents’ home, are the topic of this qualitative study. The research population included 14 Israeli Arab parents (seven mothers, seven fathers, from different families) who have at least one child age 21-30 living with them. Findings from the semi-structured, open interviews indicated that Arab parents highly valued family reputation and expected their children to respect social norms, including leaving home only upon marriage. At the same time, parents themselves support marriage at a later age than traditionally accepted. This blend of new and old is discussed in relation to the Arab society in Israel, which shows a gradual openness to modernization while maintaining traditional values and culture.