It Takes a Village- Family Stability

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/