A stunning new study has confirmed what every boomer already suspected: their adult children will not be leaving anytime soon.
According to the 2026 Wells Fargo Money Study, nearly two-thirds of parents with children between the ages of 18 and 28 are still financially supporting their kids. Housing, money, groceries — the whole package.
Here at The Pennant, our editorial staff includes parents whose kids left the nest, parents of young kids dreading what is coming, and then there is — we will call her Kayla.
Kayla is our Gen Z staffer. Not long ago, she packed her bags, found an apartment, and split the rent with other Gen Z adults who share her radical belief that people should actually live on their own. No safety net. No, "I'll just stay through the summer." She loaded her car, waved goodbye, and moved 7.5 miles away from home (or about 20 minutes for people who prefer time travel versus distance).
Experts say parental support is fine and healthy as long as it comes with a plan. Financial planner Douglas Boneparth suggests revisiting the arrangement monthly. Great advice, assuming their 26-year-old son can be reached between noon and 3 pm, when he is technically awake. The study also found that 56% of parents say the support is straining their own finances.
So, to summarize: the kids are struggling, the parents are struggling, and Wells Fargo paid to study it.
Many well-meaning parents have suggested their Gen Z children look into the trades. Become a plumber. Be an electrician. Learn a skill that will always be in demand. It is solid advice. However, our own internal research here at The Pennant suggests that a significant portion of Gen Z has rejected this path due to the lifestyle changes it requires — specifically, getting up, showing up, and the alarming expectation that they learn to operate hand tools.
Here is what we believe at The Pennant. Life is hard. It does not get easier by waiting. The journey of a hundred miles begins with a single step, and yes, the first ten percent is the most painful part.
Find a place, stretch the budget, eat a lot of store-brand peanut butter, and slowly things start to get less worse.
Kayla figured that out, and so can other members of her generation. Someday — if they keep at it — they might even buy a home of their own. Their name on the deed. A yard. A garage. A sense of pride that nobody can take away from them.
We will explain property taxes later.