title: PARENTAL ASSISTANCE, NEGATIVE LIFE EVENTS, AND ATTAINMENT DURING THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD.
abstract: Responding to the longer and more variable transition to adulthood, parents are stepping in to help their young adult children. Little is known, however, about the extent to which parental support promotes success, and whether parental support has different effects for young adult sons and daughters. Using longitudinal data from the Youth Development Study, we find that parental scaffolding assistance for educational expenses predicts college graduation for both men and women. Negative life events experienced during the transition to adulthood are associated with lower earnings by the early 30s, although there is some variation by type of event. More frequent parental support during times of need does not predict long-term economic attainment for sons or daughters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota.
authors.forename: Teresa Toguchi
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota.
authors.forename: Jeylan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Mortimer
keywords: family; gender; intergenerational relationships; parents; social support; young adulthood