Young adults living apart and together (LAT) with parents: A three level analysis of the Italian case

This paper introduces the notion of living apart together (LAT) with one's parents as a status in the transition to adulthood. LAT with parents is defined as the situation in which young adults who reside with their parents spend a significant amount of that time living outside the parental household. Young adults who LAT with parents are described and the determinants of LAT are analysed with reference to Italy. The relevance of this phenomenon is documented for Italy, a country with one of the highest share of young adults cohabiting with parents and with fundamental subnational differences both on higher education provision and in the labour market situation. Official survey and census data are analysed and a multi-level statistical model is used to analyse the determinants of the LAT choice, with individuals, households and municipalities as levels.