Multi generation homes used to be norm but societies became wealthy enough to move away from that ( and various frictions it creates) looks like we’re literally moving back. Good for the environment, bad for the economy and mental well being.
Society has made us individualistic / "independent". But has it really made our mental health better?
Edit: and as others have pointed out, more people living separately is not ecologically efficient / sustainable.
It would be nice if we had a culture that encouraged multigenerational support, but you can’t pull that out of thin air. It’s something that would’ve needed to be in place prior to the pandemic. I think millennials may come out changed from this, as, at least in my experience, we’re already more supportive of each other and collectively-oriented then our parents generation, but that would be a change felt far off in the future.
The only time I think it's a real bummer is when you want to get laid. But even in other cultures you work that out.
But, really, being part of a community and sharing resources is supposed to be a good thing.
"bad for the economy and mental well being"... quite the leap. It's good the family economy of those involved, and for many parents and children it can be a great thing for mental health as well.
And maybe it makes sense to start framing the US in those terms too. We had the whole manifest destiny thing, and now it's time to move back to traditional life.