What term refers to children who return home after leaving due to life circumstances?

The term that refers to children who return home after leaving due to life circumstances is "boomerang children." This concept reflects the contemporary phenomenon where young adults, often after attending college or experiencing independence, return to live with their parents. This can occur for various reasons, such as financial difficulties, job loss, or the need for emotional support, especially in economically challenging times. The dynamic of living at home again can provide both opportunities and challenges for both the returning child and the parents, impacting family relationships and responsibilities.

In contrast, "latchkey children" refers to children who return to an empty home after school because their parents are at work, not necessarily involving a return after leaving the household for an extended period. "Nuclear children" doesn't have a specific sociological meaning and is not used to describe the situation of returning home. "Single children" simply refers to children without siblings and does not pertain to the concept of returning home.