IT'S a touching scene played out in homes across the land – tearful middle-aged parents waving their offspring goodbye as they leave home to start their first job or go to university.
But plans to convert the childhood bedroom into a mini-gym or home office are being put on hold for the "baby boomer" generation, with grown-up children still living with nearly a tenth of parents, according to research released today.
As w
ell as supporting their children well into adulthood, the study showed the over-50s were also taking on more responsibility for caring for their grandchildren.
The Mintel survey found almost one in four (23 per cent) gave regular financial help to their grown-up children and 7 per cent had adult offspring living with them who did not contribute financially to the household.
One in three Britons (21 million) are now aged 50 or over – the so-called "baby boomers" born in the aftermath of the Second World War.
James McCoy, consumer research manager at Mintel, said: "Children are hanging around for longer in their parents' home, so that many mums and dads are providing financial support for longer than they may have hoped. For some this can mean that they are forced to delay plans in other vital areas of retirement planning, for instance selling their home to release equity.
"And with it now becoming increasingly difficult for young adults to get on the property ladder, the trend towards kids staying at home longer is likely to continue.
"Over the past two decades, women are increasingly going back to work after having a baby. This combined with the high cost of childcare means that more and more families are having to look to the grandparents for support."
And not only are they helping out their children financially, they are also called upon for practical tasks – with 11 per cent of the over-50s saying they helped out their grown-up children with cleaning and DIY. This rose to 17 per cent among 55- to 64-year-olds.
Phillip Hodson, fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, believes the situation is creating problems for both generations.
He said: "The baby boomer generation feel there is no end to the caring that goes on. Although they have had it good they are now the only generation with money, and are having to finance both the older and younger family members with money they have kept.
"But I feel there is something infantalising for young people about not being able to pay your way. That is part of adulthood – buying your own food and fuel, having your own residence, your own identity."
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: "With house prices out of reach and 100 per cent mortgages a thing of the past for many young people, the impact on wider family life can be significant. The stresses and strains for a family stretched to their limits can be damaging."
Case Study: 'I don't want to throw money away on rent'LOUISE Dawson, 23, is living at home with her parents in Causewayhead, Stirling, while at university training to be a PE teacher. Due to start her first job next month, she intends staying for another year or two until she saves up a deposit for her first home.
She said: "I had the choice when I was going to university of moving out, but knew I'd have to get into debt. I don't believe a degree guarantees a job, so I didn't want to take the risk.
"I start my first job as a PE teacher at Stirling High next month, but I'm not going to move out as I'm now going to save for a deposit and don't want to throw money away on rent."
Ms Dawson describes her parents – her father is 57 and a physics technician and her mother, 55, works in catering – as like "two great housemates".
She said "We all mix in and share a lot of the work. My mum likes to cook for me and I appreciate it.
"They just want to see me settled. They've never asked me for digs money – they take the attitude 'we brought you into the world' and they will take care of me.
"Staying at home meant I was able to buy a car for £3,500 with the money I earned when I was at university."
Ms Dawson admitted there were some disadvantages to living at home, but nothing she couldn't make up for in the future. She said: "Although I'm probably missing out on other life experiences I've got it all to look forward to.
"I'm probably missing out on learning to look after myself. When I get my own flat I'll have to learn to pay the bills – money management things."
