"Modern" Family Housing

Modern American Housing (ABC news)

The above news article is just one moment in something I've been thinking about a lot since graduating college and moving into my own apartment. I'm currently renting a small two bedroom apartment alone. Things that have rocked....

• I can spread out, put furniture wherever, decorate however, and do laundry whenever I want to. 
• I can be weird at will.
• Don't want to eat? Who cares! So don't.

Things that have sucked...

• Do want to eat? Too bad! Everything you bought is slowly rotting. 
• Do want to eat? Well, if you make something, you know you are just going to watch it rot, right?
• Upset? Call mom. Talk for 2 hours.
• Still upset? Troll facebook. Feel more alone. Go back to above instruction. Repeat.
• Still hungry? Want company? TOO BAD.

I really think I'm going to move back home, provided I can find a job. Yeah, it's not a totally perfect thing, but I think ultimately it will be a perfect temporary move. No, I don't know what I'm going to do with all my furniture. No, I'm not sure I will ever see a date ever again (but what else is new?) 

But-I will have...a big upstairs bedroom; a movie watching lounge area; someone to share laundry, cooking, and grocery duties with (who happens to know my crazy habits AND be willing to accomodate them); room to make improvements outside and inside. 

I don't think it's a perfect situation, but I do think it will be better than what I currently have. I really don't think I was meant to live alone. I do need alone time, but I also need social time. I also think that humanity, in general, has only gotten this idea of launching adult children into the world (sans marriage) after their education is complete/on hiatus within the last 40-50 years-ish. I think society tends to be more stable with strong multi-generational bonds. Yes, adults should go be adults: pay bills, be able to make independent decisions about sex, accept consequences; but what if parents could allow their adult children to do all of those things while sharing economic and emotional duties of living under the same roof? 

This will most likely be a temporary situation, unless I find employment I LOVE. 

I just wish more families could build the healthy bonds that create a safe place for young and old; where every member is equally valued, encouraged and supported to grow; and everyone could achieve financial and social stability and happiness.