1
Multigenerational Households Paper
Stephanie Marcos
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon
University BHS-430-O500: Introduction Family Dynamics
Antwynette Shields
May 5, 2024
, 2
Multigenerational Households Paper
Multigenerational families are households in which at least two adult generations and a
generation of children live in one house. This type of family was once common. In fact, at the
beginning of the 20th century, 24% of families lived in multigenerational homes. It was not until
the 1940s that neo-local living became the cultural norm. A neo-local family refers to a couple
and their children living together separately from the rest of their family. By the 1970s only 7%
of American families lived in multigenerational households. However, in 2001 the prevalence of
these types of families started to rise sharply and is now estimated to be 18% of American
households (Fivecoat-Campbell, 2023). This paper will identify generational expectations in both
multigenerational homes as well as neolocal households, identify attachment issues in
multigenerational households, describe the benefits of both types of households, and the benefits
and difficulties associated with both types of households.
Generational Role Expectations
The role of grandparents in the neolocal, or nuclear family, has changed over the last
several decades. The average life expectancy is significantly longer than it once was, and people
are remaining active and, in the workforce, far into their 60’s. This has led to grandparents being
much more active and fully involved in their grandchildren’s lives. However, parents are also far
more educated and parenting styles have changed significantly since their parents were raising
them. Parents in 2024 have constant access to information on a developing fetus, the benefits and
drawbacks of co-sleeping, breast feeding, and anything else they may want to know regarding
child rearing. In these neolocal families, it is most common to see grandparents actively involved
in their grandchildren’s lives, but on their children’s terms. Grandparents enjoy having a
meaningful connection with their grandchildren that is very separate and different from that of
Multigenerational Households Paper
Stephanie Marcos
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon
University BHS-430-O500: Introduction Family Dynamics
Antwynette Shields
May 5, 2024
, 2
Multigenerational Households Paper
Multigenerational families are households in which at least two adult generations and a
generation of children live in one house. This type of family was once common. In fact, at the
beginning of the 20th century, 24% of families lived in multigenerational homes. It was not until
the 1940s that neo-local living became the cultural norm. A neo-local family refers to a couple
and their children living together separately from the rest of their family. By the 1970s only 7%
of American families lived in multigenerational households. However, in 2001 the prevalence of
these types of families started to rise sharply and is now estimated to be 18% of American
households (Fivecoat-Campbell, 2023). This paper will identify generational expectations in both
multigenerational homes as well as neolocal households, identify attachment issues in
multigenerational households, describe the benefits of both types of households, and the benefits
and difficulties associated with both types of households.
Generational Role Expectations
The role of grandparents in the neolocal, or nuclear family, has changed over the last
several decades. The average life expectancy is significantly longer than it once was, and people
are remaining active and, in the workforce, far into their 60’s. This has led to grandparents being
much more active and fully involved in their grandchildren’s lives. However, parents are also far
more educated and parenting styles have changed significantly since their parents were raising
them. Parents in 2024 have constant access to information on a developing fetus, the benefits and
drawbacks of co-sleeping, breast feeding, and anything else they may want to know regarding
child rearing. In these neolocal families, it is most common to see grandparents actively involved
in their grandchildren’s lives, but on their children’s terms. Grandparents enjoy having a
meaningful connection with their grandchildren that is very separate and different from that of
