Why do children financially abuse their parents?
There is no single explanation for why children financially abuse their parents. Often, multiple factors intersect:
- Entitlement and dependency: Some adult children come to view their parents’ resources as extensions of their own, particularly if boundaries were unclear earlier in life.
- Addiction or mental health struggles: Substance use disorders, gambling, or untreated mental illness can drive desperate or manipulative behaviour around money.
- Economic pressure: In an era of rising housing costs, student debt, and job insecurity, some adult children feel trapped and lash out at the nearest safety net, being their parents.
- Reversed caregiving roles: As parents age, physical or cognitive decline may make them more vulnerable, especially if they rely on their children for daily support.
- Family silence: Many parents were raised to believe that family problems should stay private, making them less likely to seek help or set firm limits.
If you recognise these signs in your family, reach out to us for a confidential chat to discuss your options.
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