The new American household: 3 generations, 1 roof
By Les Christie, CNNMoney
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) –– As the economy continues to take a toll on consumers' finances, a growing number of people are discovering that becoming roommates with mom and dad, or a 20- or 30-something son or daughter, helps to ease some of the financial pain in tough times.
As of 2010, 4.4 million U.S. homes held three generations or more under one roof, a 15% increase from 3.8 million households two years earlier, according to the latest data available from the Census Bureau.
When Alicia Moura's father-in-law, Aecio D'Silva, retired from teaching at the University of Arizona in 2010 to pursue private-sector projects in aqua-culture and bio-fuel, he didn't expect to wait long before his efforts paid off. But then the economy tanked, development funds dried up and his ventures languished.
Soon afterward, Alicia started experiencing some medical issues with her pregnancy and the family decided it would be best to move in together. Now everyone - Alicia, her husband, their two young daughters and the in-laws - live under one roof.
"We not only save money by having a joined household, but we save on stress, time and other resources by having in-home day care," said Moura.
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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iReport
The Anglo dream of being King of his own castle is not a global culture. People work together and perhaps can be more hospitable for it. Perhaps a close-knit group of people who cannot make it alone could achieve more if they combine their successes. Overcoming individuals failure also becomes a group effort. I mean a support network that many traditional families lack. It's all about survival in the end.
Chip and deport!
What's RIGHT with mexicans! An invader has a jackpot baby and the jackpot has a jackpot who has a jackpot. Pretty soon 44 grandjackpots all in a 2 bedroom mobile home
Comment 3 is the kernal. Of course, thriving families over-flowed the house, after a time, and established helpful, multi-generational families of their own, often nearby. It made for a cohesive Republic of shared-values people.
This is how people lived for countless millenia. The family shared their wisdom, know how, strength and faith and thrived in kindness and cooperation. Abuse caused the family to slpit or die out. Why must we, for the last few generations, live in big houses, alone, surrounded by expensive, inanimate, unthinking stuff?
What's wrong with mexicans?
obamas legacy:to have america living like mexicans.