Why Boomers Are Still Supporting Their Adult Kids—and What It’s Costing Everyone

Boomers are feeling the squeeze—and not just from rising grocery bills or inflation. According to a new Fortune article, half of U.S. parents are giving their Gen Z and Millennial adult children an average of $1,474 a month, and many plan to cut them off in the next two years.

But behind the numbers lies a deeper story—about emotional pressure, rising costs, family dynamics, and a rapidly shifting financial landscape.

Let’s break down the why, the resentment, and the path forward for both generations.

Why Are Boomers Still Supporting Their Grown-Up Kids?

In short? Because life is expensive—and Gen Z and Millennials are struggling.

From stagnant wages to crippling student debt and sky-high rent, younger adults are navigating a cost of living crisis their parents never had to face.

According to personal finance coach Taylor Price, “The idea of a 22-year-old moving out right after graduation and fully affording rent, groceries, and debt payments on an entry-level salary is almost fantasy today.”

For many families, Boomer parents feel both responsible and guilty—especially if they had more stable financial starts themselves.

The Emotional Pressure Boomer Parents Are Facing

“Boomers are caught between wanting to help and fearing for their own future,” says Dr. Rachel Burns, a licensed financial therapist. “There’s often guilt, especially if they feel their children are struggling because of systemic shifts that weren’t present in their own youth.”

These parents may be dealing with:

• Fear that their kids can’t survive on their own

• Guilt for having it “easier” back then

• Resentment over prolonged financial dependence

• Worry about draining their retirement savings

And it’s not just money—it’s emotions, identity, and family roles all clashing at once.

Why This Is a New Kind of Financial Dynamic

Yes, parents have always helped their kids. But this level of long-term financial support well into adulthood? That’s new.

According to economist Eliza Grant, this dynamic is “a byproduct of economic evolution. Boomers had cheaper tuition, lower home prices, and more stable job markets. Their children are entering adulthood in a completely different economy.”

Other generations may have leaned on parents during school or early job transitions, but today’s young adults are facing:

• $2,000+ rent prices

• 5-figure student loan debt

• Wage stagnation

• No safety net

Boomers didn’t just have it easier—they had it cheaper and more predictable.

Do Millennials and Gen Z Resent Boomer Wealth?

Short answer: Yes—and no.

Many young adults express frustration, not because they expect a handout, but because they feel the system is rigged against them.

They scroll past stories of 22-year-olds buying houses in 1987 and wonder how that reality vanished. Some feel:

• Frustrated at being told to “just work harder” by people who paid $300/month mortgages

• Judged for not being financially “independent” fast enough

• Resentful when older generations downplay today’s financial challenges

But most also express gratitude. As one Gen Z commenter on TikTok put it:

“I’m thankful for my parents’ help—but I’m also working 3 jobs and still can’t save. It’s not laziness. It’s the economy.”

How Can Boomer Parents Find Balance?

Helping your adult children doesn’t mean sacrificing your own financial future. But it does mean setting boundaries, planning ahead, and communicating clearly.

1. Know Your Limits

Before you give, check your own financial health. Can your retirement plan handle $1,400 a month for another 24 months? What if it takes longer?

2. Shift from Giving to Coaching

Rather than paying bills forever, offer support through:

• Budgeting help

• Career mentorship

• Access to financial literacy tools like Daddy Money

3. Set a Timeline & Communicate

Be transparent. Set clear expectations about when support will taper off and what your child should plan for.

4. Help Build Independence

Encourage side hustles, job growth, or moving to lower-cost living situations. Your help should be a bridge—not a long-term solution.

5. Protect Your Retirement

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Use a financial planner to ensure you don’t jeopardize your future.

What Gen Z Needs Most: Empathy + Tools

Gen Z isn’t looking for a free ride. They’re looking for tools, understanding, and realistic pathways to stability in an unstable economy.

Apps like Daddy Money are designed to help younger adults:

• Build better money habits

• Track spending without shame

• Set goals and automate savings

• Learn real-world finance in plain English

If we want to break the cycle of financial stress, we need to stop relying on guilt and start building systems that empower.

Final Thoughts: This Isn’t Just a Family Issue—It’s a Generational Shift

The financial relationship between Boomers and their adult children is more complicated—and emotional—than ever.

What used to be temporary support has become a lifeline in a broken system. But with empathy, clear communication, and smarter money tools, families can navigate this tension and come out stronger on both sides.

Because no one—Boomer or Gen Z—should have to sacrifice their future just to survive the present.