USA Today links to Memphis in a trend story about families doubling up amid the slow economy and persistent unemployment. The newspaper has some numbers to back up the anecdotes, including that almost 20 percent more households include extended family than in 2005. The data are taken from the recent U.S. Census:
From 2005 to 2009, family households added about 3.8 million extended family members, from adult siblings and in-laws to cousins and nephews. Extended family members now make up 8.2% of family households, up from 6.9% in 2005, according to Census data out this week.The Grundy family of Memphis is among households interviewed for the story. Their daughter was unable to find work in Jonesboro after graduating from Arkansas State University.
"She has been a really big help and it's nice to have her back," says Vel Grundy, 52, a sales assistant for Clear Channel Radio. "It's affected her more than me because she's used to being by herself."
Vel and husband, Arthur Grundy Jr., are bracing for their other daughter, a senior at Arkansas State, to move back, too. And if Vel Grundy hadn't found a job after being laid off last December, they might have all had to move in with Vel Grundy's mother, who has taken a part-time job to supplement her retirement income.
"We'll be like Dynasty-- everybody living in the same house," Grundy says.
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