As we enter the eighth month of the
COVID-19 pandemic, you are likely wondering what a “post pandemic” world may
look like and hoping some change could be positive.
Luckily, according to CityToday, out of India, one very likely permanent change will be an increase in
multigenerational living, and that could actually be beneficial to families,
particularly those with elders. Moving in with elder parents or having them
move in with “nuclear families” could very well reverse the trend of chronic
loneliness, which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide.
READ MORE: The Sandwich Generation
Even before the pandemic,
multigenerational living was a trend. Due to economics, more young people are
choosing to live at home with their parents, during and after college. Even
young couples have been moving in with in-laws. With rising rents and stagnant
wages, urban life is becoming more unsustainable for many, all across the
globe. The answer: rural life, the suburbs, and togetherness.
According to the article: “Already
all over the world, even in developed countries, which treated individual
independence and space as sacred, families are moving in or close together.”
In India, many urban working
couples have moved back to parents’ homes, especially if one or both were able
to work remotely. The trade-off isn’t only financial, but also involves sharing
of responsibilities for childcare and other duties with grandparents.
Circumstances are similar in the U.S.
READ MORE: Kids returning home in droves
According to a report from Generations United, today more than 51.4 million Americans of all
ages – or about one in six – live in multigenerational households, a more
than 10% increase since the start of the Great Recession in 2007. Some
multigenerational families choose to live together; others form because of the
widespread impact of the nation’s economic downturn and uncertain
recovery.
Although the cutting-edge tech of
remote learning and working is part of the current picture, multigenerational
living is a throwback of sorts. The notion of striking out on one’s own and
living apart from one’s kin, creating a “nuclear family,” is a relatively new
one. For millennia, it was assumed that an extended family – or a village of
sorts – would help with the children. Elders would enjoy a sense of belonging, of
value in this respect. When the elders eventually ailed, everyone would take
part in their care.
Based on the growth of generational
families living together, Generations United suggests that lawmakers look at
the following:
- Exploring
innovative housing options for multigenerational families
- Improving supports and services for caregivers
- Protecting and preserving the Affordable Care Act
(ACA))
- Strengthening Social Security and protecting benefits
for all generations
Every research company
is sharing the same message: One in five Americans now live in a
multigenerational household, according to the Pew Research Center. As
quarantine and social-distancing impacts continue, the number of families
choosing multigenerational living is poised to grow. As a result of these new
directions this may be the best time for families to envision work and home
space in a new light. More bathrooms. Bigger kitchens. Add on space. Check out ideas on home improvements for multigenerational
families.
This set-up is on the rebound, and
it may be one of the bigger blessings-in-disguise we’ve ever seen.
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