I have been noticing that more and more families seem interested
in multi-generational living arrangements lately. In the “old days” it was more
common for many generations of families to share a roof or at least live in
close, walking proximity to one another. Today Newsweek is running a story that confirms the trend I’ve been observing locally – a record 57
million Americans live in some sort of multigenerational housing arrangement
today. A number that’s doubled since 1980.
Extended families
living in the same home can enjoy many benefits along with the obvious
downsides that come with loss of some privacy, etc. My husband’s family is
from Italy and his relatives there live in a small town. They’re all literally
living on top of each other and it seems to work out well for them. When I
visit, I notice that there is ample and readily available child care from
aunts, uncles and grandparents. Alternately, the seniors are given as much
in-family care as possible from relatives who live close enough to share the
challenge of caring for the infirm elderly.
Perhaps the trend
towards multiple generations sharing the same home is coming back in vogue
here? Extended families of all types are indeed becoming more common, with more
and more buyers looking for larger homes for parents or for combined family
units
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