Parents or children?

I think 'they' refers to the children because parents want their children to get off from house to start their own life and to take off the load of caring and thinking always about them from their shoulders.

"before they grow old" refers to the parents.

The sentence really needs to be rewritten:

"Most parents want to finish raising their children before growing old."

"Most parents want to send their children off into the world before growing old."

Vorpar"before they grow old" refers to the parents.

Hi

Really? Maybe it's a difference in regions. Because in the place where I live. Parents here wish their children are with them when the parents are old because when they are old and weak, they really need their children to take care of them.

You see what I mean? Parents take care of their

"Grow old" means retirement age or greater, 65 years and up or so.

They probably aren't talking about children leaving home at that age.

If this was written about Western culture, then I'm in complete agreement with Vorpar. We want our kids to be self-sufficient before we're elderly ourselves. My dream for my "golden years" does not include having a 30-year-old daughter still hanging around the house. Visiting often, yes. Living there? No.

I think “they” refers to the parents, but my English professor thinks otherwise. I’m not going to argue with the professor, but I’m happy to know there’s someone siding with me. (*^__^*)

Thank you all, Lazzy boy, Vorpar, and GG!

You are mostly welcome.

I'm happy too to know there is somebody on my side... Haha

LB