Multi-generational homes have become a tradition within Filipino households. Living in one-roof with your families shares comfort and practically which deeply-rooted with bonds and responsibilities. With this growing drift, this household structure allows the families to stay close and manage everyday challenges, particularly to younger generations that build family extension within the same household.

In the statistics of Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), 28 percent of Filipino household are in a multifamily arrangements this reflects to a adaptive strategies due to rising cost of living and housing, stagnant wages, and evolving socio-economic dynamics which explains the setup of multi-generational families allows to have a resource sharing, particularly to gender roles where women income to manage an independent household.

This multi-generational living is not just rooted in a cultural tradition and socio-economic problem, hence this creates a support system where older generations foster a sense of security that they receive better care and attention within younger generations; this gives the older generation convenience that makes life more manageable for everyone involved.

Rooted challenges

The meaningful and practicality of multi-generational living can also build bumps that bound from sharing one space with multiple generations. Multi-generational households can create misunderstandings of the families perception, conflicts over household responsibilities, and outgrowing the members of the families.

One of the challenges faced by the extended families living in one roof is lack of personal space and privacy where some households are filled with chaos which they want to find peace and alone time.

Financial management comes from its stability, In this family dynamic, money matters can get a little tricky on a daily basis, especially when it comes to groceries, electric and water bills, maintenance costs including emergency funds and health concerns. This system might be different where other members have their own strategies which cause financial conflicts.

Harmony within the family

Living with one household can be tough yet doesn’t have to be stressful — as long as you set a proper foundation. A functional family dynamic is easier if the members of the family sets boundaries, manage finances transparency, be capable to share household chores, and create good communication with one another.

It is important to examine the conditions of multi-generational household to ensure the safe, secure and stable relationship with the members of the family especially the younger generation where they are influence on what a functional family dynamic should creates good foundation in a household.