Family togetherness a blessing (or a curse) of the recession
Filed under: Debt, Bankruptcy
Whenever I hear stories about multiple generations living under one roof, I wonder how people don't wind up killing one another. My worries are heightened because of the recession.According to USA Today, increasing numbers of people are living together out of economic necessity.
"Nearly 3.5 million brothers or sisters are living in a sibling's house, according to 2007 Census Data, up from 3 million in 2000," the paper said. " And 3.6 million parents live with their adult children, up from 2.3 million. About 6.7 million householders live with other relatives, such as aunts or cousins, compared with 4.8 million in 2000."
Of course, given the state of the economy, those figures have no doubt increased over the past year as the real estate market continues to plummet and foreclosures continue to soar. It's the hidden cost of the economic downturn, and it's scary.
Even the most loving family gets on each others' nerves. Privacy is scarce in close quarters. Everyone knows everyone's business. Plus, people forced by economic circumstances to live together are going to resent their situation. Stress could hit a boiling point, creating huge problems including familial violence.
I fear for the young people who are forced to live at home. Part of growing up is learning to take responsibility for your actions. That's tough to do if mommy and daddy are there to cook your meals, do your laundry and pay your bills. How will they be independent?
With all the talk about bailing out Wall Street, attention needs to be paid to the price being paid by families because of the economy. They are just as deserving of help as fat cat bankers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-04-2009 @ 5:35AM
dar said...
Quite frankly, If chores are divided up, there is responsibility.
Siblings sharing a BED is a GOOD thing! We have become so over indulgent and selfish that we have forgot what we've lost over the past numerous generations.
Homes were on average at least half the size that they are today. With that said, the average marriage had 6 children, not 2.3 and that was in a 2 bedroom home, sometimes a one bedroom.
Children slept in the same beds. They were more secure, then than they are now. Not to mention that a family income and loans were based on 1 person holding a job. The second income was a choice.
People at at home around one large table, and on Sunday, it was not uncommon for all the grown children to come home to grandma's home (if grandma had 14 kids and 10 families showed up with their an average of 6 children) they would squeeze into a small older home. Men were fed first, not because of egotism, but because they headed out to build buildings, houses, do farm work together and then the children were fed, and sent outside to play, while the Mom's ate, did dishes, and found time to learn from each other. They would then gather back to the house for music and laughter.
There were a lot of small time stores, and many more crafts, and prepared foods, that were sold and Uncle Sam could care less about regulating the sell of a small farm processed cow, or chicken or even a craft or yard sell and good Ol' Uncle Sam certainly didn't tax and for a permit in order to have a yard sale.
We have selfishly sold ourselves out to a complexes and busy lifestyles, where there are more children and adults depressed, incarcerated, and full of anxiety. For What? For Who?
and at What Cost?
A House can Rob you of your Home! Is the Granite really worth it?
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2-04-2009 @ 12:06AM
dar said...
I was so frustrated at the story I blogged about that my typing got away from proper punctuation. I do believe most would understand.
2-07-2009 @ 8:28AM
Constance Elaine Moton said...
Boy, reading this made me feel a bit better. All of a sudden I, a 62 greatgrand mother of 2 darling little boys, have found myself, my oldest son, and only daughter living together in her home, What in the world happened?
Sometimes it's fun and sometimes not so fun! Most of the time we get alone pretty good, My daughter works during the day and my son on second shift He seems to mind it the most He really misses his privacy and family (getting divorced.)
With prayer and lots of it I think we all will adjust
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