This proverb is a very familiar
quote that relates to rearing children. Not only are the parents important in
the lives of children, but also extended family members, teachers, community
member, etc play a large big role in teaching life lessons to them. A child
does not grow up in a bubble; he or she is influenced by their environment and
shaped by their community. As a result, it is crucial that children have good
role models to look up to while growing up. Rosenstein explains, “We must involve the whole community,
including the faith community, so that each child has at least one person able
to commit the quality time it will take to make a difference in their lives…”
Living in close proximity to relatives or in the same household as grandparents,
aunts, uncles, and cousins is very beneficial to children and the family as a
whole.
Around the 1980’s, more ‘traditional’
families, including the parents and children, took precedent over
multigenerational families. Many of the reasons that these types of families
were popular were because of outside factors. Some of these factors included
the prominence of suburbs with single-family homes, and the ability for seniors
over 65 to live on their own. However from about 1940 to 1960, it was very popular
to live in multigenerational homes. These factors include the influx of
immigrants to the United States and bad economic situations.
With the new wave of immigrants,
people would live together while working in the United States. Because of the
discrimination and prejudice that immigrants face, it is easier to live in
housing with relatives and/or close friends. After the World Wars and as of
right now, these immigrants are coming to America with close to nothing. One of
the easiest ways to find a place to live is to shack up with people in your
family so that you are not spending money on houses, when a family has room and
is willing to let you live with them.
Multigenerational
living can be more prevalent with families of color. In 2008, a survey was
conducted and revealed that just 13% of white families live in
multigenerational homes while at least 20% of Hispanic, Black, and Asian
families live with relatives. Living with relatives is very beneficial for
families of color because you are able to gain access to more ways to better
economic status. Asians, Hispanics, and Blacks have a history of being limited
or denied to specific markets. By living with relatives, it gives families more
opportunities to share benefits. In addition, Native Americans specifically,
believed in living in close-knit multigenerational households, because you can
pass down beliefs and customs easily to the next generation. Also, families
would have more access to wisdom from their parents or grandparents.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/12/love-marriage-melvin-burgess
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-d-rosenstein/hillary-clinton-is-right_b_5984090.html
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2010/03/18/the-return-of-the-multi-generational-family-household/
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