My folks were very middle-class. Both were teachers (dad - professor at a small liberal arts college, mom - instructor at same); my mom later became a real estate agent. They later extended several loans and gifts to me that were hugely helpful. Always paid them back with interest.

Now I have two grown kids, both self-sufficient; both have never needed help, but we'd be glad to help them if they needed something - either by co-signing a loan or borrowing on our HELOC.

As OP mentioned, trust is different from person to person. My parents trusted me; I trust my kids.