Why are some people in their 20s far less independent than their parents were in their 20s?

[Who Me?]

I see 'funny' posts from social media about lack of self-sufficiency in people in their 20s. I mean, we all make mistakes in our transition to adulthood. However, there is so much humor about being almost 30 and still wasting your money on booze, not being able to do laundry, not being able to carry a relationship etc. It's mind-boggling to me because my parents married at 25. In fact my parent's generation (who are in their late 40s/early 50s now) were independent, married, had a home and having children before 27. Today we are tolerating this idea of 27 year olds being giant teenagers. Obviously not all 20 somethings are like this, but too many are and we aren't encouraging them to grow up but rather laughing about the fact that they are almost 30 and act like 17 year olds.

Now I know some things aren't in our hands. I don't know how my Dad was able to buy a house, a car, and support himself at 23. I'll be 23 next year and I'm not even close.
BTW I am not trying to encourage marriage and babies in people in their 20s, I was trying to emphasize the difference between responsibility and maturity with our parents vs. todays 20somethings.

[533]

times have changed..

[celticbuddha]

If you don't know how to do something. . . then you need to start learning by asking for help, asking questions, seeking knowledge for those who do know how.

[Hairy Pig]

Because our parents were much less likely to go to college. Many college students still live with their parents so they can focus on their studies. It's a trade off.

I always hear of people say "I had my own place at 18" Yeah, it's probably because they didn't go to college.

[Jesere]

they have been given too much and to little is expected of them
they are lazy and lack motivation

[Left]

I think generations changed

[kim h]

I am a 45 year old woman. I think it is good that people are waiting longer to marry and have kids. Too many of them though are not taught what they need to be while they are growing up. My kids have been taught the value of a dollar and how to save it, they have been taught the importance of integrity and a good work ethic. They have seen what a healthy and happy relationship is suppose to be. They have been taught how to cook, clean, basic repair of the house or car and basic sewing. Boys and girls both. I have three responsible kids that still know how to have fun.

[Texas Mike]

Homes/family in the 40's-50's were everything. And the rules were very restrictive. No TV much and very little communications. Very little entertainment. As a teen in the 50's I couldn't wait to be on my own. I left at 18 and never looked back. Went into the military first. That prepared me. Then they paid for my college.

Today kids do not want to leave home. They tend to be soft. Don't want to do anything [some not all]. Drugs were not an issue in the 50's. Today they are for sure. Really bad.

The economy today is bad also and one party wants dependent people for votes.

[Delk]

You pose a very interesting question. It seems to us old timers that young folks these days have the feeling that they are entitled to have things exactly the way they want them when they want them without work, effort or stress. How they got that way may have something to do with parental expressions such as "I had to work when I was a kid and I hated it so I'm going to make sure my kids don't have to do that." Thus the sense of entitlement. That, it seems to me is too simplistic to be the truth and the only truth.
Good question and good thinking.

[math]

because of the horrible economy