Transitioning into adulthood

How parents and young adults navigate a new path today

Think about how different growing up is now compared to 30 years ago. Back then, there was a clearer, more linear path to adulthood: finishing school, starting a job, getting married and having children. Society had specific expectations of when these milestones should happen. With such structured societal norms, parents felt pressured, and any deviation from this path often lead to worry and disappointment.

Today, parents feel just as much pride and hope as they watch their children transition into adulthood, but the path to what society calls “success” is, perhaps, more winding than before.

Parenting past and present

Many parents still see their children’s achievements as a reflection of their own parenting. But financial independence is harder to achieve today. In fact, 79% of young adults in the UK aged 18-30 have never created a budget, 76% have never paid a bill, and 77% have not set aside funds for unexpected expenses.

Traditionally, financial independence was expected soon after university. But now, many young adults rely on their parents for support well into their late twenties. The most common areas of help include household bills, transport costs, and mobile phone plans. Traditionally, it was expected that young adults would become financially independent not too long after earning their degree – finding a full-time job, leaving the nest and supporting themselves without parental help. That expectation isn’t reflected today, perhaps due to a lack of financial knowledge, with only 26% report receiving any financial education in school, and just 13% say those lessons were applicable to real-life money management.

Why financial dependency persists

Young adults in the UK face rising costs across the board. Rent, energy bills, and food prices have soared, while wages have stagnated. According to the Young Money Report, many 18-30-year-olds are delaying major milestones like moving out, marriage, and parenthood due to financial pressure.

Higher education costs and student debt also play a role. With more young adults pursuing degrees, they’re entering the workforce later – often with significant debt and limited savings. This has made parental support not just common, but essential.

Culturally, this shift is becoming more accepted. Parents increasingly view financial support as part of their role, helping their children navigate a more complex economy.

Emotional reliance

Parents aren’t just financially involved; they’re emotionally invested too. Many see themselves as lifelong supporters, not just caretakers of children.

According to Santander UK, 65% of young women say they rely on their parents and friends for financial and emotional guidance, compared to 56% of young men.

Communication is frequent: most parents and children text or call several times a week. And young adults are largely comfortable with this – many say their parents are involved in their lives just the right amount.

Thirty years ago, young adults were less likely to seek parental advice. Today, they’re more open to discussing everything from finances and careers to relationships and mental health.

Positive outlook

These days, young adults are more likely to be living with their parents, but that doesn’t mean they’re not pitching in financially. Many help with groceries, utilities, and rent, even if they’re not yet fully independent.

The path to adulthood may be less defined, but the bond between parent and child has grown stronger. Whether through financial support or emotional encouragement, parents are helping their children navigate a world that looks very different from the one they grew up in.

Sources: Young Money Report 2025, Santander UK, Office for National Statistics, Money and Pensions Service, Ofcom Media Use and Attitudes Report (2024), Mental Health Foundation UK.