Adolescent Financial Dependence

Catherine Rampell reports on a new Pew Research study suggesting a number of interesting (though mostly unsurprising) things about Young Adults Coming of Age in a Tough Economy.  For example, parents today with children age 16 or older are more likely to respond that adulthood begins after age 22 now than they did in 1993.


  

Meanwhile, while older adults and those with children age 18 or older seem willing to let financial independence be pushed off beyond age 22, it is younger adults (age 18-35) who believe financial independence should be secured prior to age 22.



Rampell seems surprised by these numbers, but I think it likely is a reflection of the fact that it is easy to say in isolation that "kids should be independent by age 22," but it's a lot harder to say "my child needs to be independent by age 22" when that possibility could be just around the corner.  I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this.    

Finally, Pew confirms what we already knew: that young women have their act together and are preparing for their futures far more than their male counterparts