Skip to content

24/7 Live Call Answering

937.729.0000

Cowan & Hilgeman
Main Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Jack R. Hilgeman
    • John P. Hilgeman
    • Michael M. Mahon
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Car Accidents
    • Brain Injuries
    • Catastrophic Injuries
    • Dog Bites
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Medical Malpractice
      • Birth Injuries
      • Hospital & Surgical Errors
      • Prescription & Medication Errors
    • Nursing Home Negligence
    • Premises Liability
    • Product Liability
      • Zantac Lawsuit
    • Truck Accidents
    • Wrongful Death
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact

24/7 Live Call Answering

937.729.0000

Blog

It Takes a Village

While it is not very common in American culture, there are benefits to living in a household with extended family. An extended family household comprises multiple generations living together under the same roof. Some extended families include uncles, aunts, grandparents and even cousins. This type of living arrangement is seen in other countries and has many social, financial, and developmental perks. As time goes on, we are seeing this lifestyle becoming more and more popular locally. 

One of the primary benefits of living with extended family members is that the many adults in the household share financial responsibility. This reduces the overall strain on the household’s budget, as cost of living can vary from place to place and year to year. The financial support provided by having multiple streams of income increases the quality of life for the entire family, significantly reducing stress and discord in relationships caused by financial struggles. Having so many adults around also allows for families to share the responsibility of childcare, eliminating or reducing yet another cost.

The healthy development of children is directly affected by having more generations and influences in the home. Aunts and uncles and grandparents can help not only with discipline but by ensuring stability, consistency, and routine that is crucial for early childhood development. Simply by having the opportunity to observe the way their parents communicate with their own parents; children are able to strengthen their ability to express and use reason in difficult situations. Respect becomes not just mandatory, but a common practice. One of the benefits of raising children this way is that children are brought up to fit into a larger community more seamlessly and comfortably, with less social anxiety. 

People who are a part of extended family households experience a greater degree of emotional bonding that comes from living in the same place rather than just visiting or only spending holidays together, like most people are used to. Thus, ensuring earlier emotional maturity. According to Wikipedia, “It takes a village to raise a child” is an African proverb that means an entire community of people must interact with children for them to grow in a safe and healthy environment. 

You may wonder how a lifestyle like this is successfully done. There are several contributions, one of the most basic factors being establishing boundaries with all the family members in the house early on and consistently. Boundaries for space, privacy, and child rearing are all crucial. Another factor is respecting privacy, and not just for the children, but for adults as well. This will foster a sense of autonomy early on that leads to confident teenagers, and then eventually confident adults. 

Setting expectations is a necessary step, and that cannot be done without open and consistent communication. The members of a household should all communicate and understand the expectations for finances, household chores, and living in close quarters peaceably. This is true of every household, but particularly in this complex dynamic.

With how quickly the world is evolving around us and with much of it out of our control, it has never been more important to tune in to one’s own family and how it evolves. This is the day-to-day work we can do to ensure that things progress the way that we would hope. This is how we can intrinsically make a difference, by fortifying the family unit once again. As much as we would like to change the whole world, it is not possible. But what is possible is to change the way we love and care for one another, particularly those closest to us. 

If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a serious injury accident, a personal injury lawyer like our friends Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC are able to help and support getting your family through this difficult time. 

Contact
Cowan & Hilgeman
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
About
Cowan & Hilgeman
Recent Posts

Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different From Car Accidents

Dealing With Insurance Companies After A Motorcycle Accident

Signs Of A Concussion After A Fall

Trusting Your Lawyer After Assault

Understanding Pain And Suffering Compensation In Personal Injury

Your Legal Rights After An E-Bike Accident

View All Blogs
5-Star Reviews
Schedule My Free
30-Minute Consultation

Sollicitudin maecenas integer gravida aptent nulla. Rhoncus maximus vestibulum netus vestibulum sociosqu.

Contact

Cowan & Hilgeman

100% Confidential
Free Consultation
No Recovery, No Fee

Stay Connected

Available to serve you conveniently at our offices, your home or virtually online.

Facebook Twitter

Call or Email

New Clients: (937) 729-0000
Existing Clients: (937) 222-2030
[email protected]

Visit Us

12 W. Monument Ave., Suite 100
Dayton, OH 45402

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading
Birth Injury Lawyer Dayton, OH
Brain Injury Lawyer Dayton, OH
Car Accident Lawyer Dayton, OH
Car Accident Lawyer Kettering, OH
Dog Bite Lawyer Dayton, OH
Medical Malpractice Lawyer Dayton, OH
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Dayton, OH
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Dayton, OH
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Riverside, OH
Nursing Home Lawyer Dayton, OH
Truck Accident Lawyer Dayton, OH
Wrongful Death Lawyer Dayton, OH

No information on this website is intended to serve as legal advice. A past result is no guarantee of a future outcome on any case.

© Copyright 2025 Cowan & Hilgeman | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap | Privacy

Scroll to Top