There are many 17 year-old girls and boys living on their own, with a partner, or roommates. My father (who was diagnosed with Malignant NPD) would say to me, "the minute you turn 16 you're outta this house" - he started saying that to me when I was around 8 years old. I was a very good kid with good grades, no trouble, etc; my dad simply despised the fact that he had to spend money on me when he wanted that money for himself (and to think my mom said they planned her pregnancy)! Anyway, when I was 17 I was living in Chicago (in the 'Boy's Town' neighborhood - called that because it was home to a lot of LGBT men, and numerous gay bars, gay businesses, etc), sleeping on the couch in an apartment with 5 women who were all in their 20's. Not all families show their children love and respect; and, not all families allow/want their children living at home (regardless of how 'good' they are), and, some kids simply want to leave home when they meet a BF/GF, or to escape physical abuse, to pursue other opportunities (and maybe university).
