Dr LeCrone
05-21-2006, 08:53 PM
A recent study at Purdue University shows that members of households with one bathroom have far greater stress than those with more than one of these “modern conveniences.” As the cost of housing increases and more and more families are “extending” and living under one roof, the results is what has been termed “people pollution.”
In the opinion of some urban planners, people pollution extends not only to single households, but also to neighborhoods where many people are packed into a small space. It has been my experience that a large number of people attempting to live under one roof in a relatively small space can cause a great deal of stress.
Some of the obvious effects are:
Noise pollution;
Lack of privacy;
Disagreements regarding group activities (which TV program to watch, or which music to listen to on the radio);
The clutter that occurs from too many human beings trying to do their own thing.
Urban and social planners toll us that we should begin to be prepared for more and more people and less and less space in the future. College graduates are moving back home because they can’t afford housing; married couples are living with their parents to save money; and many elderly parents have to live with their children.
Some benefits are derived from the extended family under one roof. Television shows, such as “All in the Family” and “Little House on the Prairie” portrayed a lot of family togetherness. But real life families wonder, “Is it possible for many families to live under the same roof without the friction and stress that destroys relationships?”
If you find yourself in a situation that necessitates multi-family living, you might want to consider some of the following suggestions:
Decide in the beginning and agree in a group meeting that regular open communication within the group is necessary. Only with free expression can stress and tension be reduced and smooth living patterns facilitated.
Develop a written schedule for use of bathroom and kitchen privileges. Make it available to every member of the group. The entire group may not want to dine at the same time or of the same menu, and this will enable some variety in scheduling activity.
Consider scheduling the use of the living environment so that one segment of the group may be absent for several hours, or even for a weekend, leaving the other members with the house to themselves. This can be accomplished during vacation times when some members may visit other relatives.
Divide the chores so that one segment of the group is not doing all of the work, or the same work all of the time. Devise and post the schedule for everyone to follow. Compromises are necessary.
Elect a leader who will rotate once a month, or once a quarter. In case of disputes, the elected leader makes the final decision. The leader may be the property owner.
Married children who have moved back home should frequently discuss long-term goals so that everyone understands that it is a temporary solution. Children should assure parents/owners that they are saving money to move into their own residence.
Parents moving in with their children should set clear and definite ground rules before any living arrangement is established.
Crowding people together, or people pollution, can be one sure way to produce friction leading to difficulties such as marital discord or increased difficulties between parents and adolescents.
Careful consideration and planning can alleviate many of these difficulties.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984
In the opinion of some urban planners, people pollution extends not only to single households, but also to neighborhoods where many people are packed into a small space. It has been my experience that a large number of people attempting to live under one roof in a relatively small space can cause a great deal of stress.
Some of the obvious effects are:
Noise pollution;
Lack of privacy;
Disagreements regarding group activities (which TV program to watch, or which music to listen to on the radio);
The clutter that occurs from too many human beings trying to do their own thing.
Urban and social planners toll us that we should begin to be prepared for more and more people and less and less space in the future. College graduates are moving back home because they can’t afford housing; married couples are living with their parents to save money; and many elderly parents have to live with their children.
Some benefits are derived from the extended family under one roof. Television shows, such as “All in the Family” and “Little House on the Prairie” portrayed a lot of family togetherness. But real life families wonder, “Is it possible for many families to live under the same roof without the friction and stress that destroys relationships?”
If you find yourself in a situation that necessitates multi-family living, you might want to consider some of the following suggestions:
Decide in the beginning and agree in a group meeting that regular open communication within the group is necessary. Only with free expression can stress and tension be reduced and smooth living patterns facilitated.
Develop a written schedule for use of bathroom and kitchen privileges. Make it available to every member of the group. The entire group may not want to dine at the same time or of the same menu, and this will enable some variety in scheduling activity.
Consider scheduling the use of the living environment so that one segment of the group may be absent for several hours, or even for a weekend, leaving the other members with the house to themselves. This can be accomplished during vacation times when some members may visit other relatives.
Divide the chores so that one segment of the group is not doing all of the work, or the same work all of the time. Devise and post the schedule for everyone to follow. Compromises are necessary.
Elect a leader who will rotate once a month, or once a quarter. In case of disputes, the elected leader makes the final decision. The leader may be the property owner.
Married children who have moved back home should frequently discuss long-term goals so that everyone understands that it is a temporary solution. Children should assure parents/owners that they are saving money to move into their own residence.
Parents moving in with their children should set clear and definite ground rules before any living arrangement is established.
Crowding people together, or people pollution, can be one sure way to produce friction leading to difficulties such as marital discord or increased difficulties between parents and adolescents.
Careful consideration and planning can alleviate many of these difficulties.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984