Young adult children traveling with parents: insights on conflict and its causes

ABSTRACT

This study examined conflict in family trips taken by young adult children and parents and the causes of such conflict. A three-step analysis of the data derived from netnographic and interview approaches. The result revealed four types of conflict in both the pre-travel and in-transit travel stages which included travel choice and consumption, travel involvement level, schedule, and uncivil parental behavior. These conflicts appear to be caused by intergenerational differences and personal characteristics. The findings enrich the understanding of the complexity of family travel, revealing that family holiday is a demonstration of togetherness, yet it is also imbued with disagreements.

KEYWORDS:

• Family travel
• young adult children
• mid-life parents
• intergenerational conflict
• intergenerational difference
• personal characteristic
• parent-child relationship
• tourism marketing
• Asia Pacific
• Chinese family

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.