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Parental support during young adulthood: Why does assistance decline with age?
Caroline Sten Hartnett1, Frank Furstenberg, Kira Birditt
1University of Michigan, Population Studies Center, ISR, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, T: 401-965-4213, F: 215-898-2124.
Journal of Family Issues
|August 27, 2013
Summary
Parental financial support for young adults decreases with age, primarily due to declining offspring needs. However, age remains a significant factor, suggesting societal expectations influence financial aid.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Developmental Psychology
- Economics
Background:
- Parental financial transfers to adult children are a common phenomenon.
- Previous studies indicate a decline in financial support as children age, with age being a primary predictor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating factors in the relationship between offspring age and parental financial support.
- To explore the roles of offspring needs, adult role acquisition, and proximity in this dynamic.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 536 parent-child dyads (young adults aged 18-34, parents aged 40-60).
- Statistical examination of potential mediators: offspring needs, adult role acquisition, geographical and emotional closeness.
Main Results:
- Declines in offspring's needs significantly explain the reduction in financial support with increasing age.
- Offspring age remains a strong predictor of financial support even after accounting for other variables.
- Evidence suggests age norms play a role in conditioning parental financial support.
Conclusions:
- While decreasing offspring needs explain some age-related decline in financial support, age itself is a persistent factor.
- Societal age norms appear to influence the extent of financial assistance provided by parents to their adult children.
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