Life Is Harder For Young People And Their Parents Agree

Ever wonder if your kids (or parents) had it easier? Well, you're not alone.

A recent study suggests that young adults today might be facing a tougher climb than their parents did in their twenties.

The research shows a whopping 68% of under-30s believe life throws more curveballs their way compared to previous generations. This feeling translates to real-life stress, with 41% of young adults experiencing it regularly, compared to a much lower 15% forty years ago. Looks like the "carefree twenties" might be a bit of a myth!

But what's causing all this stress?

The study points to a combination of factors. The always-on, fast-paced world we live in means staying healthy and fit takes more effort – think squeezing in gym sessions between the hustle and bustle.

Financial pressures are another biggie. Today's young adults face a challenging job market, rising living costs, and the burden of student loans. It's no wonder they're twice as likely to prioritize making a lot of money quickly compared to their parents' generation.

There are some interesting similarities too. Both generations value finding a long-term partner, although today's youth seem more concerned with body image.

Interestingly, marriage seems to be falling out of favor – less than half of young adults today see it as important, compared to over half of their parents' generation.

Good news is, smoking rates have plummeted – just a fifth of young adults light up today compared to over half four decades ago.

Alcohol consumption, however, seems to have stayed fairly steady. Even if they're not puffing on cigarettes, it seems today's young adults still enjoy unwinding with a drink (or two) every now and then, just like their parents did in their twenties.