The American mythos is the narrative of the individual. The words independence, liberty, personal freedom, and individualism come to mind when we characterize core American values. That is why that when we see people making drastic changes to their lifestyle due to economic realities we have to wander; are we witnessing a fundamental change in American culture?
A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle reports on the growing trend of people deciding to find a roommate, rent a room or share space in order to cut costs and make ends meet.
Here are some statistics and facts from that article:
The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey showed a jump in cohabiting in 2007, the most recent survey year. In California, the number of “family households” with a roommate stood at 228,500 in 2007, up 9.6 percent from 2006. In “nonfamily households,” 674,000 reported having roommates in 2007, a 9.4 percent increase from the previous year.
9.4% is nothing to scoff at!
Craigslist, the online classified ad giant, says that its roommate-wanted postings over the past 12 months are up 60 percent for the Bay Area, and up 85 percent within San Francisco.
We have heard the stories from our grandparents…6 kids in one bed…my grandfather claimed that his family was so poor that they had to sleep in their Cadillac…Groooaaan! But, this is happening in the here and now.
There is nothing insignificant about Americans giving up private space and independence just to get by. True, in other parts of the world people have become accustomed to living and crowded conditions, but here in America, even the carpool lane on the 405 is conspicuously empty.
Let’s face it; there is no prohibition like financial prohibition!
If the economy doesn’t turn around in the near future, most economists are becoming increasingly cynical these changes will be lasting. For better or worse our culture is re-examining itself. It is important to take stock of the many ways the recession is impacting the cultural landscape in order for us to understand the ways that our businesses and services must change to accommodate the needs of the new American lifestyle that is currently evolving.
