Financial independence is an increasingly difficult milestone for youth to reach, according to a new survey. About 25 percent of teens say they likely still will need cash from their parents through their mid-20s before they’re truly out on their own. That’s about twice as many teens who said the same thing just two years ago.

The survey, sponsored by Junior Achievement USA and the Allstate Foundation, found that 28 percent of teens don’t believe they’ll ever be better off than their parents.

All this cynicism reflects the still dour economic climate in which youth find themselves. While the economy has improved, it’s still tough for recent high school or college graduates to make much headway. Twenty-somethings are moving back in with their parents in near record numbers. (U.S. News)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.