A Study on the Types and Determinants of Economic Dependency on Parents Among Unemployed Kangaroo Tribe Youth

The primary objective of this study is to categorize the different forms of economic reliance that unemployed young adults have on their parents and identify the factors contributing to this dependency. The study utilized data from the Youth Panel Survey (YP) conducted by the Korea Employment Information Service and performed a latent class analysis on unemployed young adults receiving financial support from their parents. Based on the reasons for and levels of parental financial support, four distinct types of economic dependency were identified: 'Moderate Living Expense Dependency,' 'High Housing Expense Dependency,' 'Minimal Living Expense Dependency,' and 'Unconditional Dependency.' Each type is differentiated by the specific reasons young adults rely on their parents and the level of financial support they receive. The study further analyzed how sociodemographic characteristics, career maturity, job search preparation, and work values influence these types of economic dependency. The results indicated that the 'High Housing Expense Dependency' type was more common among young adults living in metropolitan areas and those with a university degree or higher. This group tended to receive higher amounts of financial support from their parents for housing costs. On the other hand, the 'Unconditional Dependency' type was prevalent among students and those whose parents had greater wealth. This group exhibited lower levels of career maturity and placed more importance on economic rewards and job security in their work values. Additionally, the study demonstrated that economic dependency among unemployed young adults is closely linked not only to financial factors but also to their career maturity and job search preparation. For example, those categorized under 'Moderate Living Expense Dependency' and 'High Housing Expense Dependency' exhibited lower career maturity but higher levels of job search preparation. This research aims to provide important policy insights by offering an in-depth understanding of the complex reasons behind young adults' financial dependence on their parents and the types of support they receive. The findings will contribute to developing policies that promote the economic independence of young adults and support a smoother transition into the workforce. Furthermore, the study provides foundational data to help reduce the challenges these young adults face during their transition into employment.