The other day, my youngest daughter asked me a simple question: “How old were you when you bought your first house?” My answer made me wince—I was just 21.
Immediately, I braced myself for the lecture I’ve heard countless times: that my generation, the Boomers, got lucky with cheap houses, plentiful jobs, and an economy that seemed to bend in our favor.
A Generation Struggling to Get on the Property Ladder
Her question wasn’t just idle curiosity. It’s a reflection of the struggles faced by today’s young adults in Britain.
Many in their late 20s and early 30s won’t buy property until their 40s, if ever—and often only with generous parental support.
Skyrocketing house prices, ever-increasing rents, and stagnant wages have made the dream of owning a home feel almost impossible.
For millions, leaving the family home is less a choice than an unattainable milestone.
Living With Parents Is No Longer Optional
Recent figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies show that the number of people aged 25 to 34 still living with their parents has jumped by about a third since 2006.
It isn’t about comfort or convenience—it’s about necessity.
And the consequences ripple out: England and Wales now have a record-low birth rate of just 1.4 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. Without a new generation, who will fund the public services of tomorrow?
How the Boomer Path Seemed Different
For my generation, adulthood came with milestones that seemed reachable.
Jobs were abundant. Houses were being built.
Ambition could translate into opportunity—often without a university degree.
Maintenance grants and paid training allowed young people to pursue careers without sinking into debt.
I earned £13,000 as a newly qualified nurse in 1978, saved for a year, and bought a three-bedroom semi with a garden—not a tiny, distant flat requiring a long commute.
The Reality Today Is Bleaker
Fast forward 50 years, and my children’s world is unrecognizable.
European economies are stagnant. Technology and AI are rapidly reshaping the job market.
Graduates emerge with crippling debts, only to face fierce competition for dwindling career opportunities. Employers often want experienced staff, not young people who are learning the ropes.
And yet, society brands them “lazy and entitled” for simply struggling to survive.
Why Boomers Keep Working
It’s no wonder many of us from the Boomer generation expect to work longer.
We fear for our children and grandchildren and feel compelled to support them however we can.
We understand that life today is far tougher, and the milestones we took for granted now feel like distant fantasies for the young.
Family, Freedom, and Choices
On a lighter note, not all struggles are economic. Take Princess Eugenie, for instance.
She has reportedly cut contact with her father, Prince Andrew, while her sister Beatrice treads a careful diplomatic line.
The contrast shows how firstborns often shoulder responsibility while younger siblings enjoy more freedom.
Both approaches are valid, but the sisters’ supportive relationship shows that even in a complicated world, family bonds endure.
Grappling With Grief Through Cinema
And then there’s art reflecting life. I’ve booked tickets for Hamnet, the moving film about Shakespeare’s son, who died at 11.
The story comes with a grief warning, and I can’t help wondering if I’ll leave the cinema a mess of tears.
Still, some stories demand to be witnessed, and this one promises to be unforgettable.
The Big Picture
Whether it’s housing, family, or grief, the world my children navigate is markedly different from the one I grew up in.
And while some lessons from the past feel out of reach today, reflection, support, and empathy remain timeless.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn