Parental Help Is the New Path to the American Dream

The CNN piece argues that the traditional route to wealth—college, work, saving, and buying a home—now increasingly depends on family financial help. With rising costs and debt, many young adults rely on parents for ongoing support, and some households have inherited large sums that jump‑start homeownership or retirement. Fed data show nearly half of adults ages 18–29 received nonresident assistance for recurring expenses, and about as many live with parents, underscoring how access to the “American dream” now hinges on family wealth and support rather than earnings alone.