Educação financeira e vulnerabilidade social: como a falta de preparo impacta a vida adulta.

Abstract

Financial education is essential for the development of money management skills and for supporting conscious decision-making. This study aims to analyze the impacts of the lack of financial education in adulthood and how the absence of such preparation can lead to financial fragility, low economic autonomy and social vulnerability, directly affecting individuals’ quality of life. The research is characterized as both qualitative and quantitative, with an exploratory and descriptive nature. The methodological procedure combined a bibliographic review, based on books, scientific articles and institutional reports published from 2018 onward, and field research through a structured questionnaire applied to two groups: adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24, and adults aged 25 to 35, in the second semester of 2025. The sample consisted of 129 participants, equally distributed between both age groups. The data were analyzed descriptively, using tables and graphs to identify patterns of financial behavior, difficulties faced and the relationship between financial preparedness and social vulnerability across age ranges. The results showed that most respondents did not receive any financial guidance at home nor had access to financial education in school, revealing a significant gap in early financial formation. It was also observed that many participants have difficulty maintaining regular control of their expenses, show low saving capacity, and report a history of delinquency, behaviors that reflect financial vulnerability and lack of planning. The qualitative responses reinforced these findings by highlighting patterns such as impulse buying, emotional influence on decision-making and the absence of financial organization habits. On the other hand, most participants recognized the importance of financial education as a tool for autonomy and for reducing social inequalities.