In Response to Twentysomethings at Home

I just read this article from 2007 (but the comments have continued on to this day):
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/09/04/twentysomething-be-responsible-go-back-home-after-college/comment-page-2/#comment-244350

I got annoyed by all the angry comments, so I finally responded even though its a good 3 years late or so.

"Why do so many of you assume that moving back home automatically makes post-graduates lazy and unambitious? I moved to China for a year after graduation and now I live and work from home. I know that I have been of great help to my parents since moving back home. I babysit my niece, cook dinner once or twice a week, clean the house, and go grocery shopping. With all the money I'm saving, I'm able to pitch in financially as well.

In MOST countries outside the US, postgraduates live at home for years- my mother in India lived at home until she got married at age 28. During that time, she also taught high school and learned to be a responsible adult. Why do people think that these are at odds? I have plenty of friends who live and work in NYC, embrace the party lifestyle, and live way beyond their means.

I also think that by living at home, I've been able to form a much closer bond with my family. If people think that just living at home rent-free makes people 'entitled', they don't seem to place much value in how parents should be treated. IT'S NOT A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT and live in a shitty apartment. It's better to be interpedent and support your family as they support you (assuming, of course, they want you back)."

For some reason people really do think there's something inherently 'moral' about being financially independent. As if its a sign of virtue! Where does this come from? Isn't this an absurdly simplistic ideal- especially in this economy?