'Parents Increasingly Financially Help Their Children Even in Adulthood – and Not Just in Emergencies'

In Germany, a notable shift is occurring in intergenerational financial dynamics, with parents increasingly extending financial lifelines to their adult children. This phenomenon, as reported by Bild and highlighted by Deutsche Welle, goes beyond occasional assistance during crises, evolving into a more consistent support system.

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Primjećuje se jasan trend: roditelji sve češće financijski pomažu svoju djecu i u odrasloj dobi – i to ne samo u izvanrednim situacijama.

Sociologists like Klaus Hurelman observe that this trend is fueled by a combination of factors. The perceived increase in life's uncertainties and the prevalence of crises contribute to a sense of insecurity among younger generations. Simultaneously, a heightened sense of parental responsibility, sometimes bordering on over-support, plays a significant role. This dynamic means that many individuals in their 30s and 40s, despite having stable jobs, find themselves reliant on their parents for a comfortable lifestyle.

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Život je postao neizvjesniji i podložniji krizama. Osim ekonomskih razloga, ulogu ima i pojačana roditeljska briga, koja može prerasti u pretjeranu podršku.

Research indicates that a substantial portion of 'baby boomer' parents continue to support their children financially even after they have completed their education. Monthly contributions can range from modest sums to over 450 euros, with some parents even dipping into their own retirement funds to provide down payments for properties, guarantee loans, or allow children to live rent-free in family homes. This generosity is partly enabled by the economic prosperity the 'baby boomer' generation accumulated during decades of growth.

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Privatna podrška često daleko nadilazi jednokratnu početnu pomoć. Roditelji osiguravaju početni kapital za kupnju nekretnina, jamče za kredite, daju povoljne zajmove ili omogućuju djeci da besplatno žive u obiteljskoj kući.

Philipp Lersch, another sociologist, points out that while many millennials may earn more in nominal terms than their parents did at a similar life stage, their purchasing power is often diminished. The dream of homeownership, a cornerstone of financial stability, has become particularly challenging, making parental assistance almost indispensable for acquiring property. This reliance on parental support highlights the economic pressures faced by younger Germans and the evolving definition of adulthood in contemporary society.

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Danas je znatno teže samo od vlastitih prihoda izgraditi stabilan životni standard, primjerice kada je riječ o stanovanju ili stvaranju imovine. Istodobno postoji želja da se zadrži standard iz roditeljskog doma. To pokazuje da je mladima danas teže.