The choice made by a Texas couple to impose rent on their 19-year-old daughter after high school has sparked a lively debate on the topics of parenting and financial accountability.
Erika and Cody Archie, a couple from Gatesville, Texas, with an impressive TikTok following of nearly a million, revealed their resolution to have their daughter Kylee pay $200 in monthly rent starting from June 1, 2022, a mere two weeks after her high school graduation.
The Archies’ decision mirrors an escalating discussion on the most effective ways to instill financial responsibility in young adults. As of July 2022, the Pew Research Center reports that approximately 50% of American adults aged 18 to 29 reside with their parents, marking a noteworthy surge from earlier decades.
Dad Cody expressed a strong position on the issue, asserting, “Two hundred bucks a month is more than reasonable for living like a grub in your parents’ house.”
Although both parents initially held differing opinions on the approach, they quickly reached a consensus, recognizing that this method imparts crucial lessons in managing financial responsibilities. Erika emphasized, “That’s less than she spends on food,” underscoring the significance of their daughter acquiring skills in handling bills.
Nevertheless, their choice has sparked a division among social media users. Some voiced agreement with the couple, sharing comparable personal experiences: “If you’re not studying, you’re working; if you’re working, I’m not the only one paying bills in the house. Treat adults like adults.”
Another individual chimed in, saying, “I had to pay rent after I graduated until I left for the Marine Corps. I turned out all right, I think.”
A different TikToker highlighted the shift in dynamics brought about by introducing rent, noting, “It’s all good. But if she’s paying rent, then she can come and go as she pleases. Curfew and other ‘parenting’ rules go out the window. She’s now a tenant.”
Some suggested alternative approaches, including the idea of saving the rent money to provide financial assistance to the child in the future. A viewer shared, “I paid $100 a month, then my parents gave it back to me as a wedding present. It really helped to get started.”
Another TikTok user concurred, saying, “Collect rent then give it back when they move out.”
Credit: Isabel Pavia / Getty
Conversely, a segment of the audience vehemently opposed the notion of charging children rent. One user argued, “You decided to have a child…not the other way around. Where else would they go if they didn’t reside home with you?”
Another parent shared a different perspective, stating, “A definite no for me… I know it’s rare, but I will forever help my kids… no matter the age.”
Reiterating a similar sentiment, another individual commented, “That’s weak; when they leave, it will be hard enough. Teach them to save so they can move out.”
Intriguingly, a 2022 Newsweek survey uncovered that almost two-thirds of Americans think that young adults residing with their parents should contribute financially, even when the parents are not in need of the money.
The discussion arises against the backdrop of a growing trend of multigenerational households in the US. According to data from the Pew Research Center, approximately 60 million American households are now multigenerational, a number that has quadrupled since the 1970s.
In 2020, the quantity of young adults residing with their parents reached levels unprecedented since the Great Depression, a trend expedited by the economic repercussions of the pandemic.
According to The Daily Mail, median monthly rent and housing prices in the US reached record highs in 2022.
