Parents have different ways of teaching financial responsibility to their children. Some parents have adopted the practice of charging them rent, while others allow them to live at home rent-free.
Is it Worth It?
However, has charging rent helped teach young adults how to manage money and appreciate its value, or has it caused them to resent their parents for not allowing them to live freely at home?
Charging Rent To Children Is Insane
One user took to the subreddit ‘Unpopular Opinions,’ saying that “The notion of parents charging their children rent is absolutely insane, and anyone who does that has failed in their responsibility as a parent.”
They Explained Themselves
“No, your responsibility as a parent doesn’t end when they hit a magical number of years,” they said. “You chose to be a parent; that’s a lifetime commitment, not an eighteen-year contract.”
In Asian Culture, Living at Home is Normal
They noted that in some cultures, young adults living with their parents is seen as normal and no one looks down upon them for doing so.
The user argued that while it is important for young adults to be independent and work towards achieving full independence, it is not necessary for parents to add an extra expense to their budget in order to do so.
Charging Rent Hinders Their Progress
“Of course, I don’t mean you let your kid leech off you till they’re 40, never working or doing anything worthwhile with their life,” they said.
They concluded that charging rent does not help the process of gaining independence; rather, it takes even longer due to the extra expense.
Should Parents Charge Their Children Rent?
Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? We compiled a list of the top-voted responses from other users from social media.
The Dad Who Charged Crazy Rent Prices
A social media user shared the story of how their dad charged them rent while they were attending an online university due to the pandemic.
They had been living in the same room at home, but their dad gradually increased the amount of rent every two weeks until it eventually got too expensive.
The Dad Who Charged Crazy Rent Prices
This left the user with not enough cash left to return to university, and they had to hitchhike 1800 kilometers with their luggage. The user said that this is why they no longer have contact with their dad.
“For context, my dad definitely has no money problems; he owns several radiology clinics in Germany,” the user explained. “My mum and sister also don’t talk to him anymore. I financed my complete medical school abroad by myself and now have a decent job.”
If You Decide To Live There Long Term, You Pay Rent
One user shared that their parents had a rule in place about rent and cost of living. If the user was attending school, working towards saving up for their own place or doing some combination of the two, then they did not need to worry about rent, utilities, or food expenses.
If You Decide To Live There Long Term, You Pay Rent
However, if the user was planning on staying with their parents long-term, then they were expected to help contribute. This was due to the fact that the user was one of six children.
The user thought that this was a good solution as it motivated people to work towards independence while also allowing for grace.
Pay Rent if You Are Working
One user’s father had a rule in place that stated students did not have to pay rent; however, anyone who was not studying would need to contribute less than 20% of the cheapest apartment rental fees.
No Rent If You Were Still in School
One user said that their parents had a rule in place where, as long as the user was actively pursuing an education and career, they would not have to pay rent. This would not apply if they dropped out of college. The user noted that their parents supported almost all of their expenses while studying.
Paying Rent While In High School
Another user shared that their friends had a rule in place where their children had to start paying rent when they got their first jobs in high school.
The user was surprised by this, noting that they thought a child should not be expected to pay rent while living in the family home.
They Charged Him Rent From When He Was 17
A user shared that their parents started charging him rent when he was 17. Upon moving out to go to college, the user received all the rent payments back from his parents. His parents said this was done to accustom the user to paying bills and having some money saved up.
They Helped With The Other Bills
Another user shared that after they graduated high school, they joined the army for four years. When they got out, they were unsure of what to do, and their parents offered them a place to stay rent-free even though the user had offered to pay.
The user lived with their parents for two more years without having to pay rent; however, they did contribute to other bills. They described their parents as “blue-collar,” and this was simply the way that they were.
Should Parents Charge Their Children Rent?
Different families will have different philosophies and rules about how best to support their children financially. Some may be more lenient, while others may prefer a stricter approach. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual family to decide what works best for them and their children.
Should Parents Charge Their Children Rent?
It is important to have an honest conversation about money in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands the expectations of living at home or with family members.
“The notion of parents charging their children rent is absolutely insane, and anyone who does that has failed in their responsibility as a parent.” Do you agree or disagree with the original poster’s point of view?
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This article was syndicated and produced by TPR Teaching. Reddit Source.
I'm an Irish tutor and founder of TPR Teaching. I started teaching in 2016 and have since taught in the UK, Spain, and online.
I love learning new things about the English language and how to teach it better. I'm always trying to improve my knowledge, so I can better meet the needs of others!
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