Why are people in their 20s far less independent than their parents 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. I am not claiming that 20 somethings need to marry and have children soon, I was just comparing the level of responsibility and maturity the previous generation had vs todays 20somethings.

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.

[evee]

depends on the person and economy...

[Connor]

It's a different time. Emotionally most people in their twenties - even people back in our parents' generations - are not adults. I think twenty-somethings today are right to take it slower and figure stuff out.

[.]

i think because thye are still masturbating

[Patricia]

I am over 50 and know several people in my age group who are HUGE teenagers yet today and live with their mom!!!! It's not just your generation, it's mine too.

I think a lot of young people are enabled to do nothing with their lives except sponge off mommy and daddy, and it's the parents' fault just as much as the 20-something individual's fault. Lots of people running around with video game, internet, porn addictions to name a few. And this is what they spend their time doing.

Along with that, i'm sure there are many cases in which people ARE living at home, working a job which is less than adequate to support themselves. It's been difficult for many to find a decent paying job over the past few years, because of the economy.


I like the internet, and i spend a bit of time on here in the mornings with my coffee. I'm also retired, and an artist . I spend hours every day working on art, as well as screwing around online. I have always had a work ethic, and i think it's because i dont like being idle? It's part of my basic nature.

Take care.

[583]

That's the problem with the Social Media Society. "Look at me, look at ME!"
What you see is teenage buffoons in adult bodies.
What you don't see is the mature ones that are busy being adults, working hard, and raising their families.
They're the ones that outnumber the childish ones ten to one; you just don't notice them because they're to busy being grown up.