Should guardians provide financial assistance to their fully-grown offspring?
Parental Financial Aid: A Generational Divide in Russia
In a survey conducted by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VCIOM), it was found that young Russians, particularly those born in the 90s and later, are self-reliant when it comes to their financial well-being, preferring not to rely on parental aid. This stands in contrast to older generations, such as the Silent Generation, who are more inclined to provide financial support to their adult children.
One-fifth of the surveyed young people believe that parents should continue to offer financial assistance even when their children are adults. In contrast, 70% of them are opposed to such financial sacrifices. This reveals a generational divide in financial responsibility, with younger generations advocating for self-sufficiency and older generations, particularly the Silent Generation, favoring continued support.
However, the situation is less clear among the Silent Generation themselves. Nearly half of this generation remains undecided about the issue of parental financial aid for adult children. This complex issue may require a psychologist's analysis to fully understand.
According to Aleksey Roshchin, a social psychologist, the older generation's inclination to help adult children stems from Russia's strong rural, patriarchal psychology. In this traditional society, the family head maintains authority and responsibility for younger family members, leading them to offer guidance and assistance even to adult children. This dynamic also entails younger generations reporting back to their elders.
In contrast, the Zoomer generation is characterized by narcissism, and their stance against parental aid may reflect their desire for personal independence. However, Roshchin cautions that breaking this tradition could negatively impact societal development by hindering young people's ability to successfully complete their education or establish themselves in life.
Other factors contributing to the financial support provided by older generations to adult children include economic instability, high housing costs, strong family ties, and a sense of duty to family. These factors, rooted in Russia's socioeconomic landscape and cultural values, help explain the persisting tradition of parental financial aid in Russia.
Personal finance is a significant concern for young Russians, with many preferring self-reliance over accepting parental aid. Conversely, the older Silent Generation, influenced by Russia's traditional patriarchal society, tends to offer financial support to their adult children as a matter of duty and familial responsibility.
