ABSTRACT
In many advanced industrial societies today, the transition to adulthood takes longer and has become more variable than it once was. While some countries facilitate this transition through social policies and institutions, others leave young adults to find their own pathways. In the latter cases especially, parents have stepped in to provide help. This support enables young people to explore and experiment with education, jobs, relationships, and lifestyles with fewer risks. At the same time, however, private family support can exacerbate the impact of family background on attainment and reproduce inequalities. This chapter reviews recent research on the topic including how parents and their adult children understand these intergenerational connections, and discusses the implications of intergenerational support during this life phase.
