Kathianne
03-20-2010, 06:36 AM
Unintended benefits of a poor economy?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcnwC80iGvKZ6-OFnPLBnUHzao0AD9EGQB485
More multigenerational families living together
By HOPE YEN (AP) – 2 days ago
WASHINGTON — Goodnight, John-Boy: Driven partly by job losses, more multigenerational families are choosing to live together as "boomerang kids" flock home and people help care for grandchildren or aging parents.
About 6.6 million U.S. households in 2009 had at least three generations of family members, an increase of 30 percent since 2000, according to census figures. When "multigenerational" is more broadly defined to include at least two adult generations, a record 49 million, or one in six people, live in such households, according to a study being released Thursday by the Pew Research Center.
The rise in multigenerational households is heavily influenced by economics, with many young adults known as "boomerang kids" moving back home with mom and dad because of limited job prospects and a housing crunch.
But extended life spans and increased options in home health and outpatient care over nursing homes have also played a role. So, too, has a recent wave of immigration of Hispanics and Asians, who are more likely to live with extended family...
I don't know this is all bad news. Right now I have one son at home, he graduated university last Spring-so we're coming up to a year. He pays his own insurance, contributes to food purchases, and does all heavy chores.
Until my dad's death a couple years ago, we had the 3 generational home for a little more than 8 years. The kids and I had lived with my parents for the two years I returned to school and then found a job. He works full-time, but not at a career. He's got 3 promising leads, but is also applying for grad school, in case none of them materializes. While he'd like to return to grad school, he'd rather gain some relevant experience first.
Like earlier generations there were pros and cons, but I'd say the pros outweighed the cons.
My kids would listen to my folks advice, after blowing off mine-which was the same. There were times when the kids were older, that they'd tell my parents, especially my dad, 'not to treat Mom like a kid. It's her house.'
When my parents moved in with me, my mom was sick. It taught the kids both the reality of human frailty and compassion, something I was learning at more than twice their ages.
My parents were often the voice of calm when I'd go bonkers from working too much, overwhelmed by kids, and worried about bills.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcnwC80iGvKZ6-OFnPLBnUHzao0AD9EGQB485
More multigenerational families living together
By HOPE YEN (AP) – 2 days ago
WASHINGTON — Goodnight, John-Boy: Driven partly by job losses, more multigenerational families are choosing to live together as "boomerang kids" flock home and people help care for grandchildren or aging parents.
About 6.6 million U.S. households in 2009 had at least three generations of family members, an increase of 30 percent since 2000, according to census figures. When "multigenerational" is more broadly defined to include at least two adult generations, a record 49 million, or one in six people, live in such households, according to a study being released Thursday by the Pew Research Center.
The rise in multigenerational households is heavily influenced by economics, with many young adults known as "boomerang kids" moving back home with mom and dad because of limited job prospects and a housing crunch.
But extended life spans and increased options in home health and outpatient care over nursing homes have also played a role. So, too, has a recent wave of immigration of Hispanics and Asians, who are more likely to live with extended family...
I don't know this is all bad news. Right now I have one son at home, he graduated university last Spring-so we're coming up to a year. He pays his own insurance, contributes to food purchases, and does all heavy chores.
Until my dad's death a couple years ago, we had the 3 generational home for a little more than 8 years. The kids and I had lived with my parents for the two years I returned to school and then found a job. He works full-time, but not at a career. He's got 3 promising leads, but is also applying for grad school, in case none of them materializes. While he'd like to return to grad school, he'd rather gain some relevant experience first.
Like earlier generations there were pros and cons, but I'd say the pros outweighed the cons.
My kids would listen to my folks advice, after blowing off mine-which was the same. There were times when the kids were older, that they'd tell my parents, especially my dad, 'not to treat Mom like a kid. It's her house.'
When my parents moved in with me, my mom was sick. It taught the kids both the reality of human frailty and compassion, something I was learning at more than twice their ages.
My parents were often the voice of calm when I'd go bonkers from working too much, overwhelmed by kids, and worried about bills.