Ben’s workshop in the garage adjacent to his home is a sight to behold, with a ceiling adorned with multi-coloured climbing holds. Plastic boxes neatly stack the tools in floor-to-ceiling cupboards, while every spare space is filled with his mountaineering and ice climbing gear. The workshop, along with its ample storage, is one of the main reasons why this 23-year-old architecture student chooses to stay in his parents’ home long past the age when previous generations would have moved out. According to Ben, there is simply no feasible way he could afford a place of his own with a garage for his workshop, making it a pointless endeavor to leave.
The soaring rental costs in Australian cities and the financial challenges faced by many students, even with the assistance of youth allowance, have led to a rise in young adults living at home. Recent census data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies reveals a significant increase in the proportion of individuals living with their parents in every age group from 19 to 30 between 2006 and 2021. The most substantial increase was seen among 19-year-olds, with the percentage rising from 63% in 2006 to 73% in 2021. Additionally, the 20-to-24 age group witnessed a 5-point increase in men and a 7-point increase in women during the same period.
This trend of extended or returning stays in the family home is likely to continue as long as the gap between housing costs and salaries continues to widen. Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a renowned psychologist and author, suggests that the unexpected and perceived abnormality of such living arrangements in countries like Australia and the US can give rise to difficulties between parents and adult children. In countries where it is considered normal for grown children to live at home, like Italy, the issues are less fraught.
While multigenerational living is a common practice in various cultural traditions, it presents unique challenges to Australian families unaccustomed to such arrangements. Parents may find themselves navigating uncharted territory as their children stay longer, pushing the notion of an empty nest and the expected milestones of independence further away. However, some parents, like Tiz, welcome their adult children back with open arms, understanding the financial struggles faced by younger generations. Tiz encourages her daughter, Jodie, to stay at home until she has enough savings to pursue her own path.
Privacy and boundaries can often become contentious issues in multigenerational homes. Dr. Edgar Liu, a senior research fellow at the University of New South Wales, notes that the lack of privacy is a common complaint among residents of such households. For Jodie, the only downside to living with her parents is the constant questioning and desire to know her whereabouts at all times. Liu’s research reveals that around one in three family households in Australia can be considered multigenerational, with grandparents often joining the household in later years, further increasing the average age of residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further impacted the dynamics of multigenerational living. With more young adults facing disruptions in their education and employment, many have found it necessary to remain in the family home for an extended period. The shift to remote work and study has exacerbated tensions within shared spaces, as housing designs may not be conducive to accommodating multiple individuals working or studying simultaneously. Open plan living, popular in recent years, lacks the privacy and ability to close doors, leading to friction in the household.
Respecting boundaries, sharing responsibilities, and maintaining some level of financial independence are essential for a harmonious multigenerational household. Ben acknowledges that one thing his family doesn’t often share is the arrangement of his workshop supplies. His philosophy is simple: “If it’s in the cupboard, it’s everyone’s.”
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