Parasite Singles

Parasite singles is a term first used by sociologist Masahiro Yamada from Japan. It describes people who prefer to live at home with their parents to continue enjoying a comfortable life at home without even to pay their way, even though they are working. To this date there are over 8 million parasite singles in Japan. This situation also occurs in countries like Brazil, Italy, Colombia and Argentina, even more as a result of the global economic crisis. Although the trend is more inclined for people to stay at home until marriage, there are young people that even after marriage and having children still live in the same house.

Unemployment is one of the main causes of the existence of parasite singles, the difficulty in getting a job that pays enough to afford a single life.

In these cases, and in the process of labor and economic instability, living in the house the parents can be considered an emergency measure, and very understandable. However even young single people with jobs are staying at home. Living in large cities has always represented a considerable cost, along with food and transportation, especially in Japan where it is common to pay up to 4-5 months of rent in advance. For many people, living alone in the city involves consuming two thirds of salary on fixed monthly expenses, thus restricting the ability to save, invest, or spend on luxuries. However, economic difficulties have always existed in large cities of any country, it is not only a question of unemployment or insufficient salaries, in many cases, young people are reluctant to give up the amenities offered by parents, such as doing the cleaning, cooking、paying bills etc.

Although single parasites feeling they can not cover their own expenses if living at home, they prefer to spend their money on luxury items such as designer clothing, technological devices and eating out. There are Parasite singles in Japan driving $40,000 cars. The demand for these goods have increased slightly in recent years, but not for an effective improvement of the economic situation of the people, but is largely due to this phenomenon. In many cases, these characters stay home their parents without providing money for normal household expenses such as rent, food, home services, among others.

In most cases and especially in Japan the parents enjoy the company of children, especially once they have reached a certain age when life is less hectic and stay at home longer. The permanent stay of children in the house not a much greater expense, because you would have to pay the same amount for the lease, the internet, cable television etc. it's just the extra food costs.

Many parents prefer their children (especially daughters) to accompany them at home. Parents want their children to have a better life or more comfortable life than they had, and they agree that the best way to do that is keeping them close, providing all the amenities needed.

However many people do frown on these Parasite singles, accusing them of being lazy. In a country like Japan, young people want to keep up with the latest fashions, trends and have the latest electronic devices such as Smart phones, tablets etc. The only way for many is to save rent by living with parents.