In today’s wildly expensive economy, many parents either have adult children living at home longer than they’d want or they’re shelling out thousands to help them afford a life on their own.
One family in particular has their 17-year-old living home — an age that is very normal to be under your parent’s roof — yet this couple is making sure they get something in return from their daughter.
The frustrated teen took to the r/AmItheA–hole subreddit on Reddit — the place where everyone loves to air out their grievances — to share the story of how her parents are demanding she pay them monthly rent.
She explained that she recently got a part-time job that doesn’t pay that well — as most minimum wage jobs don’t — to earn some pocket money for “driving lessons, a car, university, days out, shopping trips, etc.”
“I get my hours cut often, I often only bring in around $250-350 a month.”
She then shared in her post that her parents want her to pay them $100 a month for living under their roof. “They think I ‘owe’ this to them as it’s now my responsibility to make a living, but I disagree, as they are still legally responsible for putting a roof over my head and feeding me,” she wrote.
“They said if I don’t pay, I can ‘get out’ or I can ‘buy my own food and if I don’t then that’s my own problem.’ It’s now causing major issues in my family…”
This is a controversial topic that people have various opinions on — but in the comment section of this post, most agreed that the teen’s parents are in the wrong.
“…put as much as you can away and have your documents ready. They will charge real rent or kick you out the minute you’re 18. They clearly don’t care about you.”
“You’re not 18. It’s their job to cover your housing.”
“It’s strange to make your child pay rent to live in their own house to be clothed, fed, and provided with necessities, which is the bare minimum. How are you expected to reasonably save enough for your future if you have to pay them for the bare minimum? They are indeed still legally responsible for you.”
“I have no idea how some parents are like that. I feel so bad for people that have to deal with this. They suck.”
This scenario is vastly different from those who have their parents financially supporting them.
According to a Savings.com report, 50% of today’s parents financially assist their adult children.
These parents shell out an average of almost $1,500 a month — specifically about $1,800 for Gen Zers and $900 for millennials every 30 days.
This monthly allowance goes towards things like groceries, cell phone bills, rent, health insurance — and even trips.
