SAN DIEGO — Many parents know financial support doesn't immediately end when their child turns 18. They also don't always move out right away. A new survey by USA Today shows more than half of American parents in 36 states continue to help out their kids well after they become adults themselves. Parents are primarily paying for groceries, the survey said.
But parents in California are entertainment subscription services, cell phone bills and helping to pay off their debt.
Are Americans paying their grown children's bills?
The short answer, yes. According to USA Today, 61% of California parents still financially support their adult children. But some parents CBS 8 spoke with don't really mind it.
"My wife loves it. She has her babies home," San Diego resident Bob Gerard said with a smile on his face.
Ana Martinez says her 30-year-old son works, pays bills and she's glad he's still around.
How much money do parents give adult children?
Older generations used to instill in their children that they were on their own after they became a legal adult. But this study showed Californian parents were some of the top in the country to give their kids money on a regular basis. They surveyed 5,000 parents of adult children, between the age of 22 and 40.
California ranked in fourth place regarding how many adult children are still supported by their parents. On average, the study says parents give their children $870 a month to help make ends meet.
Alex Cruz is a sophomore at San Diego State University. She said she's still living rent free under her parents roof. They also pay for her gas. She's not alone.
"My friend lives in La Jolla," she said. "He gets $300 a week allowance."
Cruz's parents help her for a good reason, she said.
"They get mad at me when I spend money on useless things because they want me to save my money," she said. "That's why they're helping me out now."
How long do parents support their children?
On average California parents think their children should be financially independent by 24.
New York came in first place, with parents giving their kids until nearly their 26th birthday to be on their own. New Mexico and Nevada say adios before the age of 23.
CBS 8 spoke with Dan Roccato, a Clinical Professor of Finance for the University of San Diego.
"High cost of living and high cost of housing, makes it especially hard for young people to launch," he said.
But love has its limits, he said.
"No doubt it hurts the economy" Roccato said. "When everyone is in neutral, or some in park - the economy is underperforming. Young people need to be buying their own cars and houses. It really does hold back the economy in terms of performance."
Roccato also said parents should make sure it doesn't impact their own future. They should instead focus on budgeting and helping their child build credit.
"We love our children, but we need to make sure we're not enablers. Our job isn't done, until they're completely off of our payroll and onto someone else's payroll."
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