July 21, 2025

Why Today’s Young Adults Are Struggling with Independence

The path to independence has never been easy, but today’s young adults are facing more difficult challenges than their parent’s generation did. In fact, it’s common to meet a 20- or 30-year-old who still lives with their parents, either due to financial instability, mental health struggles, or something else.

Whether you, yourself, are feeling stuck, or you’re a parent concerned about your child’s future, here’s why today’s young adults are struggling with independence, and why independence is critical for adulthood.

What Does Independence Look Like for Young Adults Today?

The transition into adulthood and independence has completely changed in recent decades. After World War II, young people could easily find good-paying factory or manufacturing jobs right out of high school. These jobs offered benefits, security, and enough money to buy a house and support a family. However, today’s reality looks completely different.

Young adults face skyrocketing housing costs, competitive job markets, and mounting student debt. Many find themselves living with their parents well into their 20s or 30s, not by choice, but out of financial necessity.

The reason for this may be because the economy has shifted. Manufacturing jobs have decreased while technology and service industries have grown. These new jobs often require more education but don’t always offer the same stability or benefits as jobs from previous generations.

Important Milestones for Young Adults

Traditionally, adulthood has been defined by a series of milestones; however, young adults who are 21-years-old are less likely than previous generations four decades ago to reach important milestones, such as:

Starting a full-time career
Living independently
Getting married
Having children
Financial stability and independence

While these milestones still matter, young adults are reaching them much later than older generations. For example, in 1980, 84% of 25-year-olds lived outside of their parent’s home. In 2021, that number dropped to just 68%.

Common Challenges of Young Adulthood

Many obstacles face today’s young adults, such as mental health conditions, rising costs, and overprotective parents. Here’s a closer look:

Helicopter Parenting

Helicopter parents constantly hover over their children and step in to solve problems before kids can figure things out themselves. While often done with the best intentions, this type of parenting style can prevent young adults from learning emotional resilience and problem-solving skills that are essential in adulthood.

When parents rush to handle every challenge, they send the message that their child is incapable of doing it themselves, and over time, children begin to believe this. They never gain the confidence in their ability to overcome setbacks independently.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have also contributed to the increase in helicopter parenting. With families spending unprecedented time together, many parents became more involved in their children’s lives. Now, as young adults try to establish independence, they lack the practice and skills needed to function on their own.

Mental Health Challenges

The transition into adulthood presents many stressors, from competing in tough job markets to managing soaring costs (e.g., housing, food, transportation). These hurdles can trigger or worsen anxiety and depression.

Research shows that there’s a connection between limited autonomy and mental health issues. When young adults have fewer opportunities to practice independence during adolescence, they develop less confidence, which then leads to low self-efficacy.

Not only that, but mental health disorders among young adults have been steadily increasing over the years. Despite this, young adults seek mental health treatment at lower rates than any other age group, either due to cost or limited access to services. This leaves many individuals struggling without proper support, which may force them to have to rely on their parents or others.

Economic Factors

Today’s young adults face significant economic challenges that previous generations did not have. According to Pew Research, about 72% of Americans believe young adults have a harder time saving for the future than their parents’ generation did. Some of the economic challenges faced today include:

Rising education costs: College tuition has increased by 40% at private universities and 56% at public universities in just two decades.
Housing crisis: Compared to those in 1992, young adults today have more mortgage debt. For example, those aged 18 to 24 had $39,367 in debt in 1992 versus $117,000 in 2022.
Stagnant wages: Despite rising costs, incomes for young adults have not kept up with inflation, making financial independence difficult.
Job market instability: Economic recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to layoffs, employment gaps, and uncertainty for those just entering the workforce.
Wealth gap: The divide between wealthy and lower-income young adults continues to widen, limiting social mobility.

The result? Fewer than half (45%) of young adults aged 18 to 34 report being completely financially independent from their parents. This doesn’t necessarily mean your child is lacking ambition or work ethic, but it does reflect new barriers to independence that require fresh strategies and support systems to overcome.

Substance Abuse or Addiction

Young adults have higher rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) than any other age group, making this a big challenge for those working towards self-sufficiency. Addiction can:

Drain your finances. Money spent on alcohol, drugs, or gambling uses up the resources needed for housing, education, and other needs.
Impair your decision-making. Substance use can affect your ability to plan, make sound judgments, and control your impulses.
Damage relationships. Addiction can strain or destroy relationships with family and friends who might otherwise be crucial support systems.
Affect your employment. Substance abuse can lead to job loss, poor performance, and gaps in work history that make career advancement difficult.
Deteriorate your physical and mental health. As mentioned previously, these health consequences add even more barriers to independence.

Why is Independence Important for Young Adults?

Independence gives young adults control over their lives. For men in recovery, independence directly supports staying sober. Managing your own living situation, finances, and relationships creates stability that makes long-term recovery achievable. Each step toward taking care of yourself reinforces the belief that you’re capable of maintaining sobriety.

Independence also lets young adults discover who they really are. Living by parents’ rules makes it hard to know your own values and preferences. Having your own space creates room for self-discovery that’s impossible when others make decisions for you.

When independence does not form properly, young adults may experience something called failure to launch syndrome. They struggle with adult responsibilities and stay dependent on parents for basic needs. Without help, this pattern can continue indefinitely, preventing growth and limiting potential.

Overcome Your Fear of Independence at Ethos Recovery

Taking the first steps toward independence can feel like an uphill battle, especially if you’re trying to maintain your sobriety. At Ethos Recovery, we understand these challenges and have built a community that’s designed to help young men develop the skills and confidence needed for independent living.

If you’re ready to break free from codependency, contact us today to learn how our program can help.