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• As children transition into the stage of adulthood, discuss what it means to be an adult.
• Explain how working for the parent impacts the relationship within the family.
• How do parents balance the responsibility of work and home?
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The transition into adulthood is a complex process marked by the achievement of specific developmental milestones, moving beyond simple chronological age. This transition, especially when combined with financial interdependence like working for a parent, significantly restructures the family relationship and the traditional division of labor within the home.
Traditionally, adulthood was defined by distinct sociological and legal milestones. However, in modern, industrialized societies, this transition has become prolonged and is often referred to as "emerging adulthood," a distinct phase lasting from the late teens through the twenties (Arnett, 2000).
Research consistently shows that today's emerging adults place the greatest weight on psychological and financial independence, viewing these as more critical than traditional markers like marriage or having children. For instance, studies indicate that achieving financial independence and the ability to support a family are the two most common criteria young people use to define adulthood globally. This shift reflects a move from externally defined roles to internally defined traits.
When an adult child works for a parent (a common scenario in family businesses), the parent-child relationship becomes intertwined with a boss-employee dynamic. This dual relationship creates inherent complexities and challenges:
Boundary Blurring: The clear lines between professional and personal life dissolve. Disagreements at the workplace can spill over into family gatherings, and family history can influence professional decision-making (e.g., the parent may struggle to discipline the child-employee).
Authority Conflict: The parent, in the role of boss, must maintain professional authority, which can conflict with the natural desire to be nurturing or protective. The adult child may resent taking orders from a parent, viewing it as a continuation of childhood subjugation rather than a professional hierarchy.
Perception of Fairness: Other employees may view the adult child as receiving preferential treatment regardless of their actual performance, leading to workplace resentment. Conversely, the parent might overcompensate to prove fairness, leading to the child being held to a higher, often stressful, standard.
Delayed Emancipation: Financial dependence, even through employment, can hinder the adult child's psychological sense of independence, prolonging the "emerging adulthood" phase within the family context.