The American household, and the reconstruction of the family living unit is a phenomenon directly attributed to the worsening recession.
Beginning in the mid 1980’s easy credit, a booming real estate market, and a highly resilient stock market, had the effect of creating separation among families.
It became economically affordable for families to split. Walking rather than talking created a psychology conducive to going on their own.
Money and easy credit encouraged a rift to become a canyon of misunderstanding, and generated a quest for independence.
Adult children could afford their own places, and grandparents could afford to live in senior communities to be with their own age group.
Divorce was easy and affordable, and single parents became a common option when husbands and wives had a dispute.
The houses were getting bigger while the number of residents shrank.
The bad economy has changed all of that.
Many children are moving back home to save money while they look for jobs.
Grandparents, having lost much of their retirement nest egg are moving back to live with their adult children.
Spouses are attempting to work out differences and to remain together . Separation and divorce are expensive, and must be a last resort rather than a quick fix.
Multi generational households are becoming a common and indeed desirable , as each generation supplies help ,advice, and security to the family unit.
American society is undergoing a fundamental change in action and perception.
Less bad is the new good!
Smaller is now becoming fashionable!
Less is more!
Luxury is out!
Practicality is in!
Buy what you need, not what you want!
Make do with what you have!
Charm counts more than splash!
What is out.
Big houses
Fancy vacations
Expensive restaurants.
Big tips.
Putting on a big front.
Frills are out, practicality is in.
The credit card mentality is out, downsizing is in.
Canning, gardens, wood burning stoves ,bicycles, and walking for exercise are all in.
Downsizing is in.
The landscape of America is beginning to resemble the 1950’s rather than the 21st century go go world of just 2 short years ago.
[...] See example here: How the Recession is Rebuilding the dweller Family [...]
The tone of this blog post seems negative…and yet, everything you’re saying sounds like a positive thing. Extravagance, waste and broken homes are out. By necessity, Americans are once again forced to think of the repercussions of their actions. They are forced to save, and they are forced to think of more than just themselves. Say what you will about the economy and how bad people’s situations may be…but I think that such changes in culture might help things in the long run.
“Frills are out, practicality is in.”
Thank goodness!
There are certainly some benefits to come out of a bad situation
Being responsible for our actions is a good thing.
Families staying together is good.
I am not being judgmental I am simply trying to explain what I see comeing and why.If I can help people anticipate and prepare to react to what is, then I have done a good thing.
Anything that brings the American family back together can’t be all bad
Pretty good post. I just found your site and wanted to say
that I have really enjoyed browsing your posts. Any way
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!
Thank you,
I try to make a difficult topic easy to comprehend.
In todays complex world understanding is a precious commodity
Loved your latest post, by the way.