05/28/2026
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center last year, parents’ number one desire is for their children to become financially independent and grow into honest and ethical people. Meanwhile, the number one worry (which 76 percent of parents said was extremely to somewhat worrisome) is that their kids might struggle with depression or anxiety.
This makes sense, as what parent does not want to raise a happy, healthy, and productive adult?
Despite that data, many parents are doing more for their teens and young adults than ever before, and it’s a problem. One trend that is currently playing out is named Failure to Launch Syndrome. While not an official mental health diagnosis, it is a phenomenon that refers to those young adults who remain dependent on their parents rather than establishing a separate and independent life as self-sufficient adults.
“Failure to Launch is the stall in the developmental process of young adults that can include symptoms like feeling stuck, an overall lack of motivation, and withdrawing from others,” explains National Certified Counselor Tanya Peterson. “Keep in mind that the ‘launch’ to full adulthood is typically a gradual transition, a process involving different steps and milestones rather than a single event. Similarly, symptoms may occur and accumulate over time.”
Examples of this might be a college student who can’t do things like problem-solve on their own while away at school, yet is equally unproductive and unable to function when they return home. Or, a recent college graduate who does not seek employment and is unmotivated to do so.
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