Do you still rely on your parents for material support even though you’re technically an adult? Well, you’re certainly not alone!
While society has traditionally regarded financial self-sufficiency as the yardstick for adulthood, the reality for many Americans seems to diverge from this ideal. A study from North Carolina State University dispels some age-old myths. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, a mere one-third of adults can claim to be fully independent from their parents in the financial and residential realms from their late teens through their early 40s.
The Intricacies of Parental Support
Anna Manzoni, associate professor of sociology and a key researcher in the study, emphasized that our current age might need a broader definition of adulthood. This study, which encompassed a vast participant pool of 14,675 adults between ages 18 and 43, revealed a spectrum of intergenerational financial and residential dynamics.
No longer can adulthood be confined to a one-dimensional view of independence. Rather, it appears to manifest in multiple forms:
- Early achievers who chart their independent course soon and stick to it.
- Those who mostly tread the independence path but occasionally lean on parents during transitional life moments.
- Some who take their time to detach from the family home, gradually achieving financial self-sufficiency.
- Individuals who remain at home into their late twenties, receiving considerable financial help, which then dwindles over time.
- A segment that remains at home for more extended periods, fostering a two-way street of financial support with their parents.
- And, the “boomerang” adults, who after a taste of early independence, circle back home before venturing out again.
Demographics and Education Keys to Relying on Parents
The study goes beyond just identifying patterns. It also dives the underlying causes of who tends to rely on parents into adulthood. Racial background, for instance, plays a significant role. White families are often at the forefront of the “Complete Independence” trend, while “Extended Interdependence” sees a higher representation from Hispanic families.
The influence of education, particularly parental education, stands out starkly. There’s a clear correlation between parents’ educational achievements and the pathways their children tread. The study notes that adults from families where parents have a robust educational background lean towards achieving independence more rapidly than their counterparts.
Most Adults Still Rely on Parents
One can infer from the study that personal growth and journeys to independence are significantly influenced by the starting point: the privileges or disadvantages one inherits. Adulthood, then, shouldn’t just be seen in the light of personal choices but must also factor in societal structures and access to resources.
This reframing of independence and adulthood requires us to reconsider the benchmarks of maturity and acknowledge the diverse ways individuals tackle the challenges of modern adulthood. Economic, societal, and educational landscapes play large roles in these dynamics.
— WTF fun facts
Source: “Most people rely on parents for material support into adulthood” — Science Daily