Parental transfers of money and co-residence to young-adult children can serve as means of status reproduction. Yet, the relationship between inequality and social class gaps in these forms of parental support is understudied. In this seminar, Ginevra discusses the relationship between income inequality and socio-economic divides in parental support to children aged 22–35 in the United States (U.S.), a context where the economic dependence of young adults has increased over decades of high or rising inequality. Ginevra’s research finds that, as inequality increases, upper-class parents transfer greater amounts of money to their children. Meanwhile, lower-class parents are less likely to give money, give smaller amounts on average, and are more likely to co-reside. Since receiving financial support leads to more favourable labour and housing market outcomes than co-residence, rising U.S. inequality may hinder social mobility by shifting the socio-economic distribution of intergenerational transfers.

Dr Roxanne Connelly (University of Edinburgh) will chair this event, and there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion.