Writing an Argumentative Essay

Write an argumentative essay for and against extended family living.

A typical extended family consists of three generations living together under one roof, in the same household.

The best way of extended family living is for grandparents, parents and children to live together. Express your opinion on the following:

• relationships between family memebers
• number of people in the home
• housework and home repairs

Level B1/B

Extended family living is a topic that has been debated for many years. While some people believe that the best way to live as a family is for grandparents, parents and children to live together, others argue that it is not the ideal situation. There are some arguments for and against this statement. Let’s discuss focusing on relationships between family members, the number of people in the home, and housework and home repairs.

One of the main arguments in favor of living as a family with grandparents, parents, and children is that it can strengthen relationships between family members. When multiple generations live together, children have the opportunity to learn from their elders, develop a stronger sense of family identity and learn about caring for their elders. Grandparents can also provide emotional support and guidance to younger family members, which can be particularly important in times of crisis. Grandparents remain productive and active while they keep up with childcare, children’s activities and schoolwork. Spending time together adds value to each other’s lives.

One more important advantage of multigenerational families who share a home is the fact that they often experience emotional bonding which they may not be able to achieve if they live apart. Members of an extended family share their worries and problems to get support which reduces their stress and promotes happiness.

However, some people argue that the number of people in the home can create tension and conflict. When many people are living in close proximity to each other, there is a higher likelihood of disagreements and personality clashes. This can be particularly challenging for teenagers, who may feel that they have little privacy or personal space.

Another argument against the statement is related to housework and home repairs. When many people are living together, there is often a higher demand for cleaning, cooking, and maintenance tasks. This can be particularly challenging for parents, who may already have busy schedules and limited time to devote to household chores. Additionally, disagreements can arise over how to split household tasks fairly.

However, supporters of living as a family with multiple generations argue that it can also provide economic benefits. Sharing expenses such as rent, groceries, and utilities can help to reduce the financial burden on each individual family member. This can be particularly important for young families who are just starting out, as well as for retirees on a fixed income.

In conclusion, it should be mentioned that extended family living has many benefits, but there may be challenges such as conflicts and disagreements, which put strain on family relationships. One of the best ways to avoid any potential conflict, is to live together in a home with a layout that gives each member of the family privacy, space and comfort. I believe that the benefits of building strong relationships, sharing expenses, and having emotional support from family members outweigh the negatives.