Summary
The “Bank of Mum and Dad” is a significant force behind modern inequality, fostering an “inheritocracy” in which access to opportunities is dictated by family wealth rather than personal achievement.
This financial support, often viewed as a safety net, undermines social mobility and reinforces a system where success is shaped more by inheritance than by merit.
Rising housing costs, wage stagnation, and unequal inheritance have entrenched this dynamic, with parental support shaping life milestones like homeownership, career paths, and education.
While early inheritances advantage some, the burden of social care costs threatens others’ expectations.
This growing reliance on family wealth, especially among millennials, exacerbates inequality within and across generations, highlighting the need for a broader societal conversation about privilege and fairness.
Exactly! It’s hard to help when a lot of the help would be technically coming from someone else’s pocket and it doesn’t feel right to be spreading around. I help my friends with any mechanical stuff and only ask that they stay, help, and learn something new(also hoping that some new confidence will help them take care of themselves better). Sharing skills and time is the best way I’ve found so far.