For More People in 20's and 30's, Home Is Where the Parents Are

The New York Times ^ | December 22, 2003 | TAMAR LEWIN

[jagrmeister]

That's a bit harsh. In many areas, it's too expensive to buy a place right away. It makes sense for kids to live with their parents and save money. I see it all the time. Families are growing more distant in America- that the family stay together longer and both the kids and parents would be happy with that arrangement- is a positive sign that families are growing stronger in America.

[jagrmeister]

This is just one of those threads you read and realize how out of touch some conservatives can be (not to mention hard-hearted). It is not uncommon at all for twenty-somethings to live at home: it lets them save money for a house and its evidence of a stronger family that the parents and kids can live together in harmony. According to a Fox Survey, 25% of twenty-somethings live at home with their parents. If the parents and kids are happy with the arrangement, who are some malcontents who love to pry into the lives of other people to complain?

[visualops]

You did see my wink, did you not?
I know it's a figure of speech :)

[visualops]

A 2500 sq. ft. house on an acre and a half is quite the home. I sure wouldn't call that a box on a lot.
Right now there's 4 of us here in a 1200 sq. ft. house. Now that's a box lol.

[MissAmericanPie]

The young mother in question works as a receptionist, low pay. The young man who is 34 wouldn't work in a pie factory tasting pies. He has never held a job more than a few months at a time and his last job was three years ago.
You figgure it out.

[k2blader]

Nothing wrong with paying rent, doing chores, saving money to eventually buy one's own house, and otherwise behaving responsibly while living at home. Especially if one's single.

[riri]

Oops, guess I meant 7,000 sq foot lot.

[mlmr]

Dear Mrs Web www.dearmrsweb.com thinks that there should be married housing on all college campuses.

[JoeSchem]

Their parents must be totally insane.

With all the dysfunctional families in the world, their kids on drugs and committing violent crime and leaving a trail of welfare babies in their wake -- THESE are the people you pick on?

Historically, many generations would live in the same house. It was only a couple generations ago that we abandoned that notion. Then one generation later, we abandoned the notion that husband and wife should live in the same house. And now we've abandoned the notion that men and women should even marry.

Don't always assume that what you grew up with is 'the traditional way' -- let alone the 'right way.' There's plenty of objective evidence that it isn't either.

[riri]

With all the dysfunctional families in the world

I would hardly call a 30 something man still living at home with mom making his lunch a functional situation.

Granted, better than a son with a heroin addiction but there is alot of grey area to work with there.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Has she not seen any healthy marriages?

Good examples are rather rare in the Blue Zone, especially in urban environments.

[1L]

For the record, I have not lived with my parents since I was about 20 or 21. By the time I graduated college, my parents had moved to a town where I not only didn't want to live, but wouldn't have found the work I wanted, so I went out on my own immediately after college. I say all that for a reference: I don't have a problem with post college graduates living at home as long as its strictly a place to stay and pay no or reduced rent -- in hopes of saving as much money as possible. Perhaps when I have kids that old, I may rethink, but I don't have a problem with it.

On the other hand, if the person depends on mommy to make his lunch, wash his clothes, etc., then its time to cut the cord and move on. A buddy of mine just broke off a relationship with a girl (early 30s) who still lives at home, tells her parents everything, and involves them in all aspects of her life. I'm glad he did. That's absurd.

[Paul C. Jesup]

This is BS, I know single mothers with better paying low level jobs that could afford to live in their own home.

My statement still stands, you are sexist.

[MissAmericanPie]

And you are a moron. So?

[Paul C. Jesup]

On what grounds?

[riri]

A buddy of mine just broke off a relationship with a girl (early 30s) who still lives at home, tells her parents everything, and involves them in all aspects of her life. I'm glad he did. That's absurd

My sister is this way with her children. In fact, she instigates trouble in their relationships so that neither of her 20 something children have ever had a long-term boyfriend or girlfriend. She uses money as a tool also. It is a very strange situation.

[Dosa26]

A single guy, are you?

Why yes how did you guess? Haha. My 5 year live-in decided she wanted a more liberal mate I decided I wanted a more conservative one. See ya!