Why aren’t multigenerational households really a thing anymore in the US?

r/

I heard they used to be more common, but I can’t think of any real life example from anyone I know.

Comments

  1. binomine Avatar

    The problem with multigenerational households is that you have to all have the same job or at least the same kind of job. It is easy if all of you are miners, farmers or work for a big company. If a child wants to do something else, they usually have to move for the opportunity.

  2. LocaCapone Avatar

    Broken communities have created a lot more broken homes. Broken homes create a sort of separation between child & parent. As an adult, they don’t feel obligated to their parent. A lot of Americans were raised by television

    That’s my theory at least

  3. blipsman Avatar

    When both spouses work outside the home, nobody around to care for elderly parent left at home.

  4. no1oneknowsy Avatar

    I see it depends on the region and the culture honestly. It was difficult during COVID for people that had them because you were supposed to keep seniors away from kids. 

    But also you need the space. Still happens though.

  5. emryldmyst Avatar

    People don’t want their asshole parents living with them or taking care of their kids 

  6. cornonthekopp Avatar

    There’s a culture that started in the post-war boom era of children moving out as soon as they turn 18, and everyone buying their own houses. Multi-generational housing is becoming more common again now that the economic reality has shifted away from widespread home ownership.

  7. Less-Requirement8641 Avatar

    My guess in-law issues and one of the groups will feel less heard and less in control for example let’s say wife wants to change wallpaper to pink but mum wants it to stay blue now no matter what colour they choose one of them is going to feel like they matter less and aren’t in control. And then little stuff like that will pile up. Everyone wants to feel in control of their own home.

  8. Forsaken-Sun5534 Avatar

    Your impression might have to do with your economic class. It’s very common among poor people. Grandparents often help raise the grandchildren, and when the parents are troubled it’s not unusual for grandparents to be the primary caretakers.

    For the rich, though, people feel that one of the things money ought to buy is privacy. Americans like living on their own, even if they enjoy visiting their parents. You may have heard that good fences make good neighbors, something similar might be said about family.

  9. Asparagus9000 Avatar

    People don’t like being that crowded anymore. People only do it nowadays if they can’t afford not to. 

  10. RickyRagnarok Avatar

    They wanted to sell more houses after WWII so they convinced families to spread out.

  11. mdavis360 Avatar

    My sister and her kids live with my parents. Everyone there looks exhausted. Except the kids.

  12. jenfullmoon Avatar

    Multigenerational households always seem very stressful to me. There’s enough differences between people’s lifestyles and ages that It doesn’t seem like it meshes well.