What is empty nest syndrome?

Empty nest syndrome is the feeling of sadness, grief, or loss that parents experience when their children leave home, often for university. This can range from a vague sense of confusion to deep sorrow, and in some cases can trigger mental health conditions such as depression.

Some parents are surprised to feel such strong emotions. But after 18 years of caring for another person, perhaps we shouldn’t be shocked it’s hard. Chef Gordon Ramsay has shared his experiences with empty nest syndrome, adding that he was shocked to feel so ‘gutted’.

The sharp-lipped TV star said he felt that his ‘best mate had left.’ It’s a feeling many parents will relate to. What’s more, empty nest syndrome is influenced by changing norms.

Almost half of British 18-year-olds now go to uni. According to UCAS data, 316,850 18-year-olds applied to go to university or college in 2024. That’s the second-highest figure on record, representing 41.3% of the nation’s new adults.
In the 1990s, this figure was just 19%. That‘s according to the European University Institute. This means our children may be more than twice as likely to fly the nest at 18 compared to us.
Way back in the 1950s, only 3% of British teenagers went to university. Many people stayed at home until they married.
Before the 20th century, multi-generational living was common. This meant that, in some cases, children never moved away.

All this means more teenagers fly the nest. They do so earlier and more suddenly than in previous generations, moving further away in the process. For some parents, empty nest syndrome can be the result.

How To Cope With Empty Nest Syndrome