Why do American parents pay for their adult children's cell phone bill?

Question

I increasingly find American parents paying bills for their grown up (age over 25 and older) for stuff like cell phone, groceries.

I am not saying all but even the Wall Street Journal ran a story on this childish dependence of adult men and women on their parents.

In contrast, my foreign friends who are immigrants are fiercely independent and self-sufficient.

Why is this becoming a trend in American society? Is it because of baby-boomer parents?

Answer 1

The parents paying for all of this had a lack of discipline.
That's just how it was when they grew up.
Hippies didn't believe in spanking their kids and didn't like the man, apparently.


Naturally, they won't feel obliged to discipline their own children.
And parents always want what's best for their kids and want to give them everything they themselves wanted as kids.
Which might add to the indulgence.

Answer 2

I'm 21 and sadly was part of a very dependent generation. It disgusts me. I think I was the only child on the block that did not have the "new hottest thing" out there. For that, all the neighborhood kids thought my parents were mean. I don't think those kids ever heard the word "NO." Looking back I laugh. I've grown up to be a mature, responsible adult. The kids I grew up with, not so much. Mommy and Daddy pay for their car, insurance, cell phone bills etc. Anyone heard of a budget? Sorry sweetie...can't have the Coach bag this month...Mommy has to pay for your rent.

I guess I can understand to a certain extent if the kids are in college trying to get by, but 25 years old? Our generation is pathetic. Their parents have completely enabled them to be nothing but leeches. But that's just what I think.

Answer 3

Actually, the cell phones makes sense. Most cellular carrier offer a "family share plan" which allows members of the same family or residence to share an account, so it's much cheaper for everyone to share the bill, rather than having their own separate accounts. This also works for auto insurance and similar expenses.

Many of these adult children contribute to the family in other, non-financial ways, so it's not always a case of immature, financial dependence. I have a friend who lived with her parents until the age of 28; she worked full-time at her career, and part-time at her parent's restaurant. Most of her income went to her family, but in return, the family would also take care of her needs, such as a new car or cell phone when she needed it. The family as a whole prospered much more than any of them could have done individually.

True, many adult children do stay dependent or partially dependent on their parents longer than is absolutely necessary, but I think some of it can be attributed to the natural urge of every parent to provide a better life for their children than they themselves experienced. If the baby boomers enjoyed more success than previous generations, it's natural that they would want their children to benefit from that, and to grant their children a longer childhood and easier transition to adulthood.

Immigrant adult children, as you mentioned, are often "fiercely independent and self-sufficient" because they have no other choice - if they have moved away from their parents and earn more than their parents do, of course it is the children who must be the main providers. If they immigrate with their parents, in my experience, they generally retain a very tight and interdependent family bond.

So while I agree with your assertion, I think a positive explanation is fully legitmate.

Answer 4

Depends on the generation. I was raised by my grandparents (one of whom immigrated here from Europe) and was told point blank when I asked for help when I was 18 - your bills your problem you deal with it. I do not ask for help from my family when it comes to money, advice however is something different. Most people in my age bracket now are so spoiled that do not know how to function with out be catered to, and having things handed to them and don't know what an honest day's work is. At 26 I am married, run a household economically, take care of all my bills (meaning paid on time), take care of my animals (2 cats and a puppy very soon heaven help me), but still manage to go out and have fun without whining to my parents that I'm broke. These ppl are not doing anyone any favors.

Answer 5

My husband's mom paid for his cell phone bill for a full year (this was a few years ago, while we were dating) as his Christmas gift to him. After that, he paid for it himself!

What I find more disturbing than this is the fact that so many parents buy their pre-pubescent children cell phones. WHY does an 11 year old girl need a cell phone? Then the parents have the nerve to get upset/punsh the child when they blow through the family plan's minutes and end up paying like $0.30 per minute for all the additional ones. HELLO?! YOU are the one who gave your kid a cell phone--what did you expect??

Answer 6

I think it's a trend in all affluent societies...Korea, Japan, the U.S....maybe even parts of China and India by now. Parents who have become successful want to provide their children with things they didn't have. It's a matter of pride. Not a good idea, though, in my opinion.

Answer 7

I'm 20 and my parents pay my bills. I have a job, but it doesn't pay very well, and I've got to pay for gas PLUS I'm saving up for university. My parents have this philosophy: they would rather pay my bills and know I have everything I need, and let me do what I'm doing (working in a church), than me have a job where I'm unhappy, I can't pursue my dreams, but I'm paying my own way.

That's not to say that I'm financially irresponsible - I work hard and I stay within my budget. But it's good to have parental support.

Answer 8

Darn it! My parents will pay my bills? What have I been doing all this time wasting my own money on my bills? OMG! I have to go call my parents now and make this right.

Do you think they should have to reimburse me for the past 10 years I have been on my own? I should call a lawyer about this.

Answer 9

I couldn't get my parents to pay for much of anything when I was 13 and living in their house! What parents are you talking about and are they willing to adopt?

Answer 10

I wish my parents would pay for my stuff :( I actually paid for college, my car payment, and my family's cell phone bill