Financial independence, once a hallmark of adulthood, has gone by the wayside as adult children increasingly depend on their parents to help them cover the cost of rent, student loans, health insurance and more. But parents’ desire to give their children a financial assist could be misguided — and even backfire in the long run. Half of American parents are unable to save as much as they’d like to for retirement, and their grown offspring — whom they still count as dependents — are to blame, according to a new Bankrate.com study.

CBS News reports:

Half of American parents have cut back on their retirement savings to help pay their children’s bills, a Bankrate.com study shows. 

Parents are putting their kids’ car insurance, cell phone bills, credit card debt and health care costs ahead of their own needs to grow their retirement funds.

Kids miss out on learning to be independent. “When you write your first rent check or car loan check it feels so good to be able to face some problem and fix it for yourself,” says one expert.