What are the Pros and Cons of Multigenerational Households?

It's nothing new to Filipinos to encounter households with three or more generations. The value of home and family are also interconnected. After all, the Philippines, and fellow Asian countries in general, are known to be traditionally family-oriented, which can be construed as the opposite of those living in Western nations.

But what exactly is a multigenerational household, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether it's the right setup for you and your growing family? Let's discuss all that in this article to grasp a better understanding of multigenerational living in the Philippines.

What is multigenerational living?

A multigenerational household comprises a biological family with three or more generations inhabiting the same house and lot in the Philippines. Moreover, it involves two or more adult generations, including grandparents, grandchildren younger than 25 years old, and other family members.

Aside from Asian countries, multigenerational families can be found in Hispanic nations such as Venezuela, Spain, Mexico, and Colombia. This living arrangement is deeply rooted in each country's longstanding traditions and cultures that promote and instill a deep and utmost respect for the family unit.

Pros of Multigenerational Households

Multigenerational living works well for a number of reasons. Filipinos are used to this living arrangement, and its benefits are undeniable:

1. Living costs savings

With multiple generations living in the same household, homeownership becomes a shared financial responsibility. This means that living expenses such as water and electricity, internet, maintenance costs, homeowners association fees, and other costs can be split among family members who are employed and sufficiently earning. With not just one provider being relied upon for the monthly expenses, the living costs of the whole family will be significantly reduced, which means each member get to save money.

2. Shared homeownership duties

Homeownership can be hard to manage with just a few people living inside the same residential property. But with multiple family members sharing a space, housework can be divided and prevents throwing all the chores to one person, typically the mother. It also instills discipline among the younger members to feel obliged to help with the chores, which can help raise responsible adults when they grow up.

3. Stronger familial ties

Living under the same roof builds stronger family bonds. Family matters the most to Filipinos, and a multigenerational household helps to strengthen that bond. If family members are living separately, meanwhile, or when adult children move out to raise their own family, there is much less quality time or none at all. The only opportunity that the entire family can meet and catch up with each other's lives is during a family reunion or the holidays.

4. Enhanced security

Having multiple family members inside the same house allows for interdependence, especially on matters concerning safety and security. A household with just a few people living in it attracts thieves. With fewer people living in your home, the thieves can get more unafraid and nefarious in executing their crimes. And so, if there are more people in the house looking after one another, it can help deter criminals. Still, security measures must also be implemented in your house, such as installing a CCTV camera, to make your house free from theft.

5. Physical and emotional support

When one of the young or adult family members needs physical and emotional support, a fellow family member can provide such support. If there's a sick family member, there sure is someone from the house available to take care of the ill. Grandparents can also help in minding young children if the parents are busy at work. This is a setup that many Filipinos have been practicing from time immemorial.

Cons of Multigenerational Households

Just as multigenerational living has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages that may not be particularly suitable for you for the following reasons:

1. Compromised privacy

You will lose your sense of privacy with so many family members dwelling in the same abode. If you're accustomed to or highly prefer being alone or with just a few people, a multigenerational living would be a pain, to say the least. You will have little to no time alone as chances are, every part of your home will be occupied. This is also the reason why some couples choose to move out and build their own home away from their biological families.

2. Noise pollution

More people living in the same property means there is more noise that you'll be bothered with. If you're someone who hates an excessive amount of noise, then a multigenerational household is not catering to your lifestyle preferences, which may be best suited in a peaceful neighborhood with just your spouse and children living the good life.

3. Increased household chores

More house members mean more housework to do. There are more plates and kitchen utensils to wash, more accumulated dirt to clean, more food and meals to cook, and the like. It can also be a huge source of conflict if family members assigned to do household chores fail to perform their duties, who will then receive the ire of the adults in the house.

4. Need for bigger spaces

If you have a relatively small space for a big family, upgrading your home may have definitely crossed your mind a lot of times. As such, you will have to shell out a substantial amount of money for the upgrade should you decide to do so. Living with just a few people gives you the comfort and contentment of making do with a relatively small space for dwelling.

5. Conflicts and tensions

Multigenerational households consist of different age groups with contrasting sociopolitical perspectives. Millennials and Gen Zs are more liberal and assertive, while Baby Boomers and Gen X members may still hold conservative views about modern society. As such, conflicts and tensions may arise at the dinner table in the presence of grandparents and adult grandchildren discussing social and political matters.

Tips to Make Multigenerational Living Work for All

If you're living in a multigenerational household and finding it quite challenging to weigh whether this is suitable for your lifestyle preferences, there are three main things that you should bear in mind to truly live a harmonious life with fewer worries bugging your peace. These are:

Adequate space for everybody

Living spaces can be a big issue in a household with extended family members. For multigenerational living to thrive, having enough space for everybody will eliminate concerns about privacy and make each and every one content about their living arrangement.

Respect for each other

With elderlies and younger adults living together in one space, respect for each other and each other's views are an absolute must. In order to achieve this, communication is key, as cliche as that may sound. That is, the older generation must not project their beliefs as though they're gospel truths, and instead must also listen to the valid opinions of the young. Meanwhile, the younger generation must remain respectful when addressing elders and when asserting their own beliefs.

Elderly-friendly home

Part of future-proofing a home is having an elderly-friendly space to accommodate senior citizen occupants. This includes having ample indoor and outdoor lighting at night, hand-railed staircases, and floors that aren't slippery. The oldest members of the family deserve a home during retirement that they can relax to for the rest of their lives after spending decades of working and providing moral guidance to younger people.

If you're still on the search for an affordable house and lot for sale to achieve low-cost but convenient homeownership, then Lumina Homes is the housing brand that is catering to your lifestyle preferences.

Every Lumina community across the country is equipped with spacious outdoor environments to provide convenience and comfort to all residents. Our home models, meanwhile, are best-selling for their quality provisions that will best suit your housing needs.

Lumina Homes specializes in providing affordable house and lot for Filipino families that aspire to have their own homes without shelling out their entire life savings for the down payment and monthly amortization. If this is what you're looking for, then Lumina Homes awaits you and your family's occupancy soon. Send all your investment inquiries today and become a Lumina homeowner!