Living with parents after college, after 30, after 40, after anything does not make you a loser. It doesn’t make anyone a loser. It is time to stop judging people for living with parents or other family members once they have reached adulthood. We all know the joke; a 30 something year old guy living in his parents basement playing video games all day. While I’m sure there are a few people out there who fit this description it certainly is not the pervasive problem that the joke would have us believe.
The economy just does not support young adults going out and living on their own. Those times don’t exist anymore and it’s high time we let them and their notions of success go. Being a productive member of a household is all that really matters. Paying rent, doing chores, cooking meals, running errands and any other ways that constitute contributing to the general wellness and support of the people you live with qualify as leading a successful life.
Unfortunately, guys seem to be judged more harshly on this and it isn’t fair. The shame, though, is experienced by women as well. Together we can fight the shame by remembering and reminding judgers that the world has changed. We can be strong and proud in the fact that we work, care for, or share in the responsibilities of the home. And remember, living with parents or other family members is something to be grateful for, I have been blessed to have time and experiences with my mother that I never would have if I lived away from her.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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