Although I'm sure that they try to fool themselves and their peers, the youth of today have become much more dependent on their parents, both financially and supportively. Most of the students in today's high schools would probably claim that they are very independent from their parents, when in fact they are lying. The reason is simple: Peer Pressure. Teenagers feel like parents aren't cool and try to distance themselves socially, but in doing so and hanging out with the wrong "croud", they have become much more dependent on their parents than they would have ever dreemed. By "drifting" from their parents, they start to try out new things that they seem as fun and forget about their schooling or think that living now is better than living for tomorrow. Then, after enough time has passed, they are out of high school and now in college , living off of their parents' financial aid. And as the generations pass, more and more people are following this path, and sooner than anyone could have guessed, we have half the country unaware of how to take care of themselves, because they have become too dependent on their parent's support that they can't function without it.

As the overall span of human life increases and the level of responsibility on the youth decreases, the youth are relying more on their parents.

Historically, women became adults at the onset of puberty. Men took on adult roles at various ages, depending on the culture. By adult roles, I mean responsibility for their actions as well as those they care for--spouse and children. Today, Americans are getting married (first time) as late as the 30's or 40's. Historically this is the age of a grandparent--not a parent.

With four generations living simultaneously, we are becoming more reliant on parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents to participate in our lives.

Although having so many generations prevents total independence it promotes interdependence--and that is a good thing. We are inherently social creatures that throughout history have relied on 'clans' which had all but disappeared in 20th century Western culture. In the 21st century we are returning to clans, but in a new way thanks to the Internet and mobile communications.

If the economy keeps getting worse then we'll have more family members under one roof.

well a lot of poeple stil lleave at their parents house at the age of 20 Seems they can't live on thier own anymore.

This is one of those questions that makes one crazy! On one hand you see today's youth trying to be adults from the age of 8-9 onward! I believe parents encourage their children to do so, on one hand. The real deal, I believe, is a combination of the two. Youth needs their parents to supply them with what they think they want or need and parents are all too happy to do so. Whether it be a new or the latest play-station with an inordinate number of "games" to occupy them, a computer on which they can find homework information or information you don't wish them to have, a cell phone with available texting so they can always be in touch with whomever they choose or a new car at the first available moment they come of age. It's a ridiculous way to raise children. I do not believe for one moment that the youth of today sees this as being dependent on their parents. I think they see their parents as the resource by which they can become more independent of them. Perhaps in retrospect they will comprehend just how dependent they were but while they were in the process, I seriously doubt it.