Current trends have allowed some youth a lengthened transition to adulthood, in part because of demographic shifts that delay the time until adolescents assume adult roles. Although these trends are well documented, less research has examined how this impacts vulnerable subgroups. Using a sample of predominantly White youth (ages 18-33) from the National Survey of Families and Households ( N = 1,517), this study traces the timing of critical events in emerging adulthood. Using survival analysis, results suggest poverty impacts youth experiences of home leaving, marriage, and parenthood. Low-income youth are at greater risk of early home leaving but less likely to leave after age 18. They are less likely to marry, though they have a greater risk of parenthood prior to age 25. Taken as whole, these outcomes can set youth up for negative trajectories throughout adulthood and may not allow poor youth the same opportunity for an extended period of emerging adulthood.

Recent demographic trends in the United States include the shift to later home-leaving patterns and broader exit destinations for emerging adults (Arnett, 2000;Cherlin, Scabini, & Rossi, 1997). Though all young adults seem to be included in this trend, it is less clear how family economic status affects this key transition in young adulthood. Poor young adults have consistently poorer life chances than their nonpoor peers, as evident by their lower educational attainment, lower future income, and higher adult public assistance use (Besharov, 1999;Powers, 1996;Wilson, 1999). Home-leaving behaviors are integral to the transition to adulthood and are essential to achieving selfsufficiency. This study looks at home-leaving behavior for poor versus nonpoor emerging adults in the United States, defined by both the federal poverty line and a history of family public assistance use during childhood, to assess differences in patterns related to age at home leaving, repeated home leaving, and exit destination.Emerging adulthood is a key period in a young person's life requiring many transitions that are important for determining later success (Arnett & Taber, 1994;Hogan & Astone, 1986;Rindfuss, 1991). This transitional period is now considered a distinct developmental period from age 18 to about age 25 (Arnett, 2000). Though, as Arnett (2000) has noted, this period is difficult for low-income emerging adults to navigate as they are often forced to move into adult roles sooner, and therefore have less opportunity to explore possible life directions. diversity in residential status is one of the unique demographic patterns of this period (Arnett, 2000). Over the past 20 years, changes in the age of marriage, educational attainment, and employment opportunities have affected the nature of this transition period and the move out of the parental home. These demographic changes have influenced the timing of home leaving, subsequent living arrangements, and the likelihood of repeated home-leaving behavior.As emerging adulthood has evolved into a distinct developmental period and home-leaving behaviors have ABSTRACT demographic shifts have lengthened the transition to adulthood and altered home-leaving patterns. Though all emerging adults are affected, little research has examined the experience of poor youths in this context. Using The National Survey of Families and Households, this study examined age of home leaving, repeated home leaving, and exit destination (N = 1,517). Poverty was related to these patterns. Young adults who experienced childhood poverty or public assistance were less likely to leave for school; those who experienced poverty were less likely to ever leave or experience repeated home leaving; and those with a public assistance history were more likely to leave early. These emerging adults may require assistance to transition out of the home and transition to school.

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