How capitalism destroyed community for profit || Motherhood In Progress

Thank you to Ritual for Sponsoring this video. Get 25% OFF your first month Go to ritual.com/embersash
BONUS CONTENT ||
Head over to my Patreon at / ashleyembers to get a BONUS video essay every month as well as more perks!
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - intro
02:27 - the creation of the nuclear family
06:00 - Ritual
08:36 - the optimization of the consumer
13:10 - squeezing out every last penny
16:40 - the loneliness epidemic
21:55 - third places
28:18 - Patreon
29:57 - final thoughts
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
Capitalism and the Family - fee.org/articles/capitalism-a...
The Nuclear Family Has Failed - unherd.com/2022/05/the-nuclea...
How Hyper Individuation Is Defined - www.bartleby.com/essay/How-Hy...
Where Have All the Great, Good Places Gone? - www.mironline.ca/where-have-a...
Capitalism Is Making You Lonely - jacobin.com/2021/08/capitalis...
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation - www.hhs.gov/sites/default/fil...
How Loneliness Is Damaging Our Health - www.nytimes.com/2022/04/20/ny...
A US Mom's Experience Traveling Norway - www.scarymommy.com/parenting/...
MUSIC
Epidemic Sound: player.epidemicsound.com
CONTACT ME
My name is ashley, if you didn't know ;)
/ embers.and.ash
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
#brokeandalone #costoflivingcrisis #capitalism #capitalismdestroyedcommunity #nuclearfamily #motherhoodinprogress

[@AshleyEmbers]

Thank you to Ritual for Sponsoring this video! Get 25% OFF your first month Go to ritual.com/embersash

[@peterbelanger4094]

People like you blame capitalism for all the ills of the world. But you fail to study history and look at what the common alternate to that has resulted in. Russia, China, Cambodia, Venezuela..... And what you call capitalism isn't capitalism. Corporation are not capitalism, they are fascist, socialist, partnered with government. You education institutions have failed you and led you down a false path. the ism you want will not result in as much community as you think, because our problems with community have nothing to do with ism, it's the tech doing it to us, no matter what ism. Perhaps you need a few more years on Earth to understand. Study history more, and the horrors of the 20th century.

[@malumnexus7919]

​@@peterbelanger4094 I was just about to say the same things. Socialists and ignorant people vote in Socialist policies, then blame the results as being Capitalist. The US hasn't been Capitalist since December 25th, 1913. What these people fail to understand is the economic system that the US operates under is specifically defines as 'Fascistic-Corporatism'.

[@malumnexus7919]

​@@peterbelanger4094Also, quite ironic that she's complaining about Capitalism, while promoting consumerism herself.

[@kineticmeow9242]

Most people couldn’t afford the ‘nuclear family’ lifestyle. A lot of women were still working at the time unless they were rich they could stay home.

[@DavidCrosse]

Everyone wants community but nobodys willing to actually build relationships.

[@Pheoniex]

So painfully true. 👥😢

[@ter2364]

the horrific consequences of government aspired capitializm and the sardine-tight mental impact of school have been disastrous for modern humans

[@elrijuniper9410]

I don’t think it’s that people are unwilling to, it seems more like people are unequipped with skills to build relationships, also the skills to deal with rejection which leads to a deep fear in even starting.

[@katel1316]

No one knows conflict resolution... myself included. I'm trying to put myself out there more, which creates lots of uncomfortable, awkward communication and lots of opportunity for conflict resolution. Most of the time, I just want to hide, though.

[@chadkirk925]

@@katel1316there is no conflict. You talking to someone isn’t a conflict. It’s just being normal.

[@matthewbrown9796]

29 year old dad of 2 under 2 here. Your video validated much of what I've been feeling. I was working 80+ hours across 3 jobs to afford our mortgage but was burning myself out and missing some of the most precious years of the kids lives. Soooo we sold the house and moved in with my inlaws and I have never been happier. To be able to only work 40 hours has been a blessing, and we are also able to help our aging family who are starting to struggle to do things on their own. I sleep better, eat better, am more active, and my kids gave a much better quality of life with 2 parents. I'm more social with friends, read more, and don't dread each day anymore. I am now poor in money and rich in community and it feels 1000x better

[@DearStephanieX]

That’s so beautiful and encouraging to hear, that’s so good for you and your family 🙂

[@ElizabethGeiger-ye1sf]

I love being with family

[@alicruz4900]

That’s so beautiful you have family support! What a blessing for you!

[@ArlecchinoAKAFather]

Good job! Your worth is not your dang income, your worth is the smiles you give your kids 😊

[@jerry.cray..]

Love this❤ I’ve had a similar experience since moving back in with my parents.

[@camillerijess]

Libraries libraries libraries! Please go to your local public library and ask them what they have on. They are free, safe, inclusive, and very community minded. Plus, they always have loads of kids activities and community programs. But, they need your support to justify their budgets. Without attendance, programs and funding gets cut.

[@firstnamelastname-os5ro]

Why go to a Libray when when have Google? Google knows everything!!! They even know when you peeeeeee! Why would Google wanna know that? So they can sell you a product!!!!!

[@Lily-ni5po]

As a librarian, it would also be nice if our pay was good enough for us to live in the neighborhood we support.

[@camillerijess]

@@Lily-ni5po yeah I know, it's made me consider a career change several times.

[@JJ-zp6xf]

Sadly our library is no longer a safe place to visit.

[@reluctant.valentine]

several of the libraries in my area have been shut down due to “loitering” 🙃

[@lifeoutnumbered]

Just the fact that a business had to remove a place for children due to city ordinances is so telling

[@s.a.w5493]

If it had been a dog area they would have been allowed to keep it...

[@littlemaniacinmyhead]

Its really sad because if they would make drinks without alcohol they would not earn enough money to keep the buisiness open anyways. In Europa its gerting more and more common to open up Cafes for parents with children and I love that idea. But they get just as expensive as every thing else with inflation right now... its literally a never ending story 😅

[@ErutaniaRose]

I think my brother has a cafe he visits like that in the state he lives in. Never seen another one tho. @@littlemaniacinmyhead

[@WhizPill]

capitalism ruining everything as per usual

[@koaraspace]

21:33 "but we are finding more and more that social media is less of a platform for people to share with their friends, and more an influencer platform". well said👏

[@LilyGazou]

When I was young, we would meet up at the beach or in the woods, have a fire , play music. Now people my age just want to meet at the bar near the beach. Well, I can’t afford to blow $8 on a beer, spend $20 every evening. The beach is still right there. Picnic tables. Free parking.

[@casebeth]

Try taht now and you'd be kicked out for loitering and fined for the fire

[@normandy2501]

It's probably because of the developing need for (over) stimulation in that scenario. It's not enough for some people to just have a conversation with one or a few people in more quiet setting, but they need constant ambient noise on top of trying to yell to even hear each other. It was just as alarming to me how many people just couldn't take their own company during the pandemic or even the company of the person they decided to swap bodily fluids with on a regular basis. The ways in which we relate to ourselves and each other have been scrambled so dramatically. I don't think the answer is to snap into a hyper community though. You don't realize how little you like always having someone just around in your space until you've joined and experienced life outside the military again. I like to have control over when and how much I engage in community personally, because 8 people to tent (when it could be 16 since they're bunk beds) with shared bathrooms ain't it at 30 years old. I don't care how progressive the people around me are lol. Even my friends know I'm not about to be up in their dm every other day. I have way too many other hobbies that I tend to default to since they're normally within reach (music, art, hiking). It's not that I see them as a burden, but I've never felt like my life was falling apart if they didn't tell me every detail of their lives.

[@Kekonugu]

I am also alone. But I like it. I've always liked walking alone in the morning. Now I just bought a bicycle, I ride to the nearest forest or to a park. Like, today I bought a simple cheap bun in the bakery, took water, banana and a book from home, rode to farthest park, ate my bun, read my book and rode back. Not much money spent, no desire to go to restaurants.

[@yeshuayeeyee7430]

dab pen, case of seltzer, bluetooth speaker, vibin

[@blue0tter]

This is exactly the kind of chilling I want to do but it’s rare to find people now who just want to hangout at a park😢

[@abcdefg216]

This is SO wrong!!! It could litteraly be me speaking, as the girl saying she doesnt have time or energy for ANYTHING... Commute and work take ALL day!!! And still you cant buy a house or an apartment (in a safe area in the city close to work).... No time or energy to do anything healty or good for you.... Just go to bed and start over... This is NOT life.... And WHY do we all feel ungreatful etc for feeling its super wrong??? Ppl saying new generations are lazy... its just not true... the world is SO different now.

[@lstuffle9910]

Let’s go Brandon. This president has us in wars sending BILLIONS of dollars to other countries. That is where the problem lies.

[@leza4453]

I felt that way too, when entering the workforce. But with the years, you will grow as a person: you streamline your household chores, find nooks for healthy habits, manage your energy at work, multitask while commuting and hopefully make more money, too. The same with parenting, it starts overwhelming but you grow. So, it gets better, as you get better. Growing up does not stop after reaching adulthood.

[@AngryPug76]

Past generations worked as hard. But they also were paid enough for a family of 5 to live off 1 income with a house and 2 vehicles minimum on a 40 hour week. Today’s adults would have to work 100+ hours a week to approach that standard of living.

[@hayliharding3767]

​@@lstuffle9910this is a long term problem with a variety of causes as discussed by the video, not one caused by Biden smfh

[@gh0ulgirl05]

Fjb

[@jonm1999]

WERE NOT LONELY WERE POOR

[@Girl_In_Chatt]

People have been poor for centuries. They were not lonely. Kids used to go outside and play basketball with neighbors. Social media and video games has physically isolated people.

[@Matthew.33.]

Yeah people grow up and they stop playing ball games they want to do another activities but in the city you cant do sh1t without spent a lot of money, and is hard to have a decent place to live , with the current situation, so guess what people prioritize food and shelter over anything else. And these days have both its a luxury.

[@maniac50ae14]

How does money fix you not having friends?

[@abourgeois2]

@@maniac50ae14bc if we didn’t have to work as much and had more money to pay for things to socialize and more time to actually socialize

[@maniac50ae14]

@@abourgeois2 the park is free, your house is free to have people over at. How does it cost to socialize? How does it cost to have a cookout on the weekends? The quiet part is that most of you have low self esteem around not having the newest stuff to show-off and thus feel like people dont want to just hang out with you. Thats what it really is! Youre too insecure to downsize your house, buy a used car with and wear no label clothes. Poor people all across the US are having fun, inviting friends over, drinking, smoking, grilling or watching the latest episode of RealHouseWives from some city. The same way people have become more shallow about who they date, is the same way they have become more shallow about who they hang with. But with a straight face have no idea why they dont have any real tried and true friends

[@DerMatticusFink]

Regarding what she says about Capitalism and a feature of it being the ability to be "self-made," there's no such thing as a self-made anything. Whether you're rich or poor, there will always be external forces at work that contribute to where you end up in life. While you do have a degree of control over success and failure, still, you can do everything right and still fail and you can do absolutely nothing and succeed. If people can be self-made that would mean life is fair and it's not.

[@phorn100]

Bulltwang !!! Tell me one person that has sat on their arse and been successful!! Apart from Trust funded and those that win the lottery which is nothing but chance. Taking a measured risk and working hard are the only way to sure fire success. It ain’t a guarantee but certainly far more successful than sitting on your butt.

[@whitemagus2000]

Life isn't fair. Who said it was? Luck plays a part. But if you work hard and work smart, the odds will be un your favor, even though you still might get killed in a car crash on you way to work or just drop dead from a brain aneurysm on any given day. I started off working for minimum wage, sharing a house with 4 other people. I made the least, but always had the most at the end of the month because of careful planning and no expensive vices. But everyone has emergencies and they can and should be planned for. Now, 20 years later I own my own small house, not because I was born into privilege or stole it from the deserving, but because I worked hard, and worked smart, and planned ahead, and sacrificed short term pleasure for long term gains. People who prattle on about life being unfair make me nervous; they are the same kind of people who carried out the Kulak genocide (killing all the Russian middle class).

[@mastersnet18]

@@whitemagus2000so you don’t believe luck played ANY part in your life improving? Pretty naïve if you think that. You seem to think you have control over 99.99999% of it but you don’t.

[@bansheesioux5569]

​@@whitemagus2000 in other words you had to slave and sacrifice to still be nothing but a Tax slave. You don't a small home. You pay property taxes etc

[@talisikid1618]

@@whitemagus2000no. Some are in the right place at the right time. Most aren’t. And it’s not hard work that succeeds. Sometimes it’s a$$ kissing. People use that “life isn’t fair” as if that justifies everything. It justifies nothing. It’s your duty to make it as fair as possible. Greed is all that america is anymore. Just greed.

[@19iorfinop]

the bottom line is America has a huge neoliberalism and corruption problem that started in the 1980s that has resulted in the consolidation of wealth and power in the hands of the top one percent at the expense of everybody else. This was also exacerbated by the Citizens United SCOTUS decision of 2010. Private Equity taking over every single industry, small businesses being run out of business, schools being privatized, the minimum wage being stagnated, crippling student loan debt, i can go on and on!

[@faithm.4084]

What do you mean by neoliberalism

[@19iorfinop]

@@faithm.4084 neoliberalism is anything but liberal, its basically conservative policies that include deregulation, privatization, mass incarceration, and capitalism.

[@briannyob7799]

You're just a communist...😂

[@wehiird]

It just occurred to me that the “problems” we had 25 years ago (a president getting a questionable bj) have become endemic (president raping and pillaging the entire system)

[@honeyartstudios]

I 100% agree and blame Reagan for 99% of these issues

[@megankuchta9145]

I just want to point out that into the 1920s it was expected that middle class families would have access to at least one and preferably two servants, so the women were household managers, but the weren’t responsible for doing everything. Household management manuals from the era explicitly state that when families can’t afford household help, the woman should do all the cooking and laundry, and all other chores should be delegated to the other family members.

[@commonomics]

That was before or just as the electronic revolution began. Washing machines created literal extra hour for woman. Laundry was the most labor intensive task. Instead of lugging a heavy wool rug outside and beating it for an hour they now had vacuums. There are many examples of this.

[@coachkrish]

In the Jim Crow Era, black women were forced to do that domestic labor for white families. Black women had to neglect their own children and households to work for deplorable wages in abusive circumstances. Women of color have always held the burden of juggling childcare and domestic labor, for themselves and society. There was only a middle class because of the oppressed class of black people.

[@DavidMiller-dt8mx]

Middle class? The average middle class family *never* had servants. Servants were a part of families, too! More families lived on farms, ranches and the like, or had some sort of family business - like all the mom and pop stores that all died off to huge chains. Sevants were an upper class phenomenon.

[@BErectus]

Nope. My kids had chores. From the time they could reach the washing machine they were doing their own laundry. Sure, they needed help when they were little. But, soon they were doing the entire task on their own and never looked back. They were astonished that their peers didn't know how to do laundry when they went off to college. Incompetence is learned.

[@meadowrae1491]

@@BErectus "when they went off to college." I would like to gently point out that you raised children at least 20 years ago. The world is different even from when my son was born in 2016. Teaching these skills takes time and patience, and that's a resource parents have less and less of these days. There are multitude of reasons for this. 1) jobs in general are understaffed, which means the job you do manage to get is more stressful 2) as mentioned in the video, kids don't have many outlets for socialization or excess energy, so the kids are less agreeable, too 3) in addition to jobs being more stressful, it often takes longer and requires more finesse to get to that job, not to mention getting the kids to where they need to go. 4) oh, yeah. TRANSPORTATION. When I was younger buying a used car was something you could do with a part time job, not anymore. Not to mention the cost of gas. Before you dismiss any of that as petty excuses, please try doing it for a month. With all the extra stressors and time being taken away from you, do you REALLY have the energy left to gently correct the child who let the laundry get moldy? When I'm at the end of my rope it's just not worth it. I need his clothes to be clean, so I do it myself sometimes. He's 8 now and I'm really trying quite hard to instill good habits, but it is TOUGH

[@clickity5]

I'm half white/Asian married to an Asian man. My white side of the family is super isolated & we don't even talk nowadays 😢. My Asian side is super close & my husband's family is also super supportive! We have 2 kids & I honestly love how our families value & Prioritize thriving loud children lol. The culture/values here in the west is drastically different compared to the rest of the world. We live in Canada too, the cost of living just gets higher. 😢

[@bettinak.4]

True. Americans don't have to reinvent anything to live a better life just take a look at the rest of tbe world. In my country the average wage is way less than 1000 dollars a month yet we live better. Community is key.

[@IBPaintsppp-wt5ou]

@@bettinak.4 Agreed I grew up in the US and while that made me very independent and gave me many practical skills, it meant I was really lacking in important places. I met and married a Colombian and it's amazing because we bring different skills that really help each other based on our previous experiences, culture, and values.

[@user-rb9mg8om4x]

Born white/asian and same. Dad's side is spread apart in different states and hasn't seen each other in years. My mom's side gets together several times a year for huge dinner, and once or twice a year with all the extended relatives who fly in from other states. I'll run into relatives at these functions whose names I can't even remember that's how connected my Chinese side is.

[@ft9kop]

Whenever i see a bunch of middle aged or older men hanging out in public or getting a meal together at restaurant, they're always Eastern European. Same goes for the white women. I've never seen a group of older American men hanging out together

[@maniac50ae14]

Yeah, people are going to blame capitalism, but its really american culture. Poor hispanic communities also tend to be very close and find time to get together but no one else prioritizes it because they are too busy chasing validation from the outside world

[@ErutaniaRose]

As a disabled person dealing with some social turmoil, yeah. I'll be the first to say I have shopped when I have felt too alone for comfort items or activities. And lonliness is a huge issue for everyone, but especially disabled people who are isolated even further by society than able-bodied people.

[@DimaRakesah]

I remember recently seeing someone talk about loneliness for kids and teens in the suburbs, cause even though there was a bunch of houses crammed together there was nowhere for kids to go. Few trees for shade, big empty laws with nothing to do, can't play in the streets, parents want you out of the house, no businesses to visit, parks don't want teens hanging around. So where do they go? They play video games instead, and you can't really blame them for it. It feels like everywhere has became a wasteland for socialization. I feel very fortunate that I have a hobby that allows me to spend time with my friends a few times a year in a fun settling so I get a boost of socialization. (for those curious, my husband and I are both renaissance faire performers and have many friends at these events that we get to hang out with) I also don't think an economy which supports the ability to be an individual who can support their own needs is a bad thing. Lots of people, for a variety of reasons, don't have a support system to fall back on and shouldn't be left out in the cold because of that. The opposite also isn't a bad thing and has plenty of value. I think the problem is a society where people are forced to do one or the other, regardless of what works best for them and their situation. If you're born into a really abusive family situation being forced to stay in it and being punished for leaving is obviously not good. Of course if you are forced by the economy into isolation and are lonely that's not good either.Holy shit that Danish park looks amazing. Now I want to move there even more.

[@hannah7310]

Grew up in Panama ( Central America) consider 3 world country when I moved 11 years ago , I felt so freaking lonely , I even miss the street dogs , the old neighbor who said hi to me , the music in the buses , at times , it's so quiet in the neighborhood , I started to wonder if I have neighbors and then Halloween came and I realized I did , but I think depression it's so prevalent here because in this country ( which has many good things) the interactions between people naturally can be avoided and people are trained no to bother one another , I even remember asking my neighbor back in Panama if I ran out of salt , sugar, matches , paper , I wil just knock and they will provide for me and viceversa

[@domenico4808]

I can relate to you even though I come from a "first world" country we still have a strong sense of community expecially in the south part of the country where I come from

[@abigaelrarts2257]

my husband and I bought the house next to my parents, and it is so nice knowing they're there, especially expecting our first child this fall. We also share things like the lawnmower, other garden tools, and we share a storage space. I would so much rather live like this than just our nuclear family on our own

[@merinajalaya740]

It’s my mom, sister, me and my niece. All 4 of us work. We live in a 3 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood. My mom and I share the master bedroom. We are a one car family. Even with all of that we still struggle financially so we know others who live alone without people to depend on are struggling.

[@lemmings6516]

And for people like me, who grew up in a village of real community it becomes hard to find likeminded people, social contacts have become replaceable. My partner is strong on my side but the thing I suffer most of is heartache because of friends suddenly disappearing and people using community as long as it pleases them. Community is work, it’s emotional work to keep it up and it requires love and care. I am happy to put in the work but I can’t gift all my energy when people leave when I need their help in return. A lot of people are not used to invest in anything else than themselves and so everything dies

[@jordynrouse1780]

this is such an amazing viewpoint of everything happening right now! if america keeps going like this.. it's going to die with a lot of suffering (that's already happening). thank you for commenting! such an amazing perspective

[@lynnboartsdye1943]

Honestly this all makes so much sense As a kid the thing I picked up on most about my mom was that she was constantly exhausted. She’d come home from work with barely enough energy to make dinner and she’d snap very easily. I didn’t blame her but I definitely became afraid of becoming an adult because I didn’t want a job to turn me into an unpleasant person annoyed by everything (she’s otherwise an amazing human, I just think having to work as much as she did to support us affected our relationship and her ability to parent)

[@debbiej4406]

I meet up with a group of moms every week so that we can chat and our kids can socialize. During the summer and fall it's fine to meet at the park, but on cold winter days we have nowhere to meet for free. At the library the kids can't play, and the only community center that would give us space wanted to charge us $40 per hour 😅. It's just not fair that our communities don't have these third places anymore, it's sad actually. We have to spend money for everything!

[@AshleyEmbers]

Wow that’s so tragic! Especially when you have the community that wants to meet up but no infrastructure to support it.

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

Why don’t you invite them to your home and rotate with each other? Three hours visit and that’s it.

[@er6730]

I did a group like this when my kids were young. We took turns hosting, but it wasn't like a formal party, it was just 4 or 5 women and all their kids coming over for a few hours. It was chaotic but really nice! (It was a bit different because this was "craft group" and we were trying to make stuff, or just hang out and drink tea while one person makes something, lol, and the kids were just running around in the background, so the focus wasn't on the children, but they still had a great time)

[@audreamcgee3463]

I think what has ultimately made us more isolated is television and phones. Phones are literally an addiction. Dopamine is released with each video etc. there is a reason content creation has skyrocketed people watch more content than ever before, and it’s starts with babies! When I go to the store most kids I see are riding in the cart watching a phone. I am a mom of 4 kids 7 & under and find that to be one of the saddest things. If we went back to the corded phone on the wall, we would be instantly more connected.

[@mrnb2125]

Thanks for being bold and calling out the systems that perpetuate this bullshit rather than blaming individuals or pretending this shit isn’t happening. ❤

[@ChiCityLady]

The traditional housewife that everyone pictures for the 1950s was only if you were middle class or higher. Poor women and girls from lower income families have always worked. Husbands died, got sick or disabled, etc and there was no safety net. Both of my grandmothers and both great grandmothers worked after marriage. One grandma even earned her own pension.

[@serenahasworth6802]

THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT VIDEO. Thank you for having the courage to call out capitalism at the core of this issue.

[@AshleyEmbers]

Thank you, it was such an interesting video to research!

[@DerMatticusFink]

I remember a time when going to Blockbuster on a Friday night with your friends and picking out a movie (on VHS and yes I'm old now) was a social event in of itself. We'd spend an hour browsing movies and goofing off. Nowadays, people don't even have friends, let alone ones they see on a weekly basis.

[@normandy2501]

A major part of that was actually having to leave the house to get a movie before streaming became a thing. CD shopping was fun too because of being able to listen to a preview in the store while engaging with the physical media. Unless you go out of your way to get vinyl from a local store (it it exists), people will find themselves interacting with others less organically because of the instant gratification behind purely digital media while sitting on their toilet at home.

[@Shay416]

Yoooo so true and then fighting over snacks we could share. That was so awesome.

[@richdiana3663]

It's not a government anymore, it's a corporatocracy.

[@mommybreakdown]

Another banger on pulling in thoughts from social media. I can’t say I align with all of the thoughts of course, but it’s nice to sit down and listen to others for a bit, taking in their perspectives. We can’t change what we can’t change, but I choose to change one thing at a time that I do have power over: Getting sleep (sorry new parents! It won’t be forever) Getting 5 min of sunlight in your eyes in the morning Taking your medications, vitamins, and nutritious food Making one social “appointment” each week Drinking less alcohol Getting some physical touch in each day (this is a benefit for new parents!!) Working toward a personal goal Movement & Exercise (KZbin videos are great. I use MadFit but let me know if you have other suggestions. In the least, a 10 min walk can work wonders.) Not sure why I took the time to type all of that out. I guess I just hope if anyone reads this, they feel empowered. We only get one shot on this floating rock. ❤❤

[@littlemaniacinmyhead]

So in love with your positive thoughts ❤ thanks for taking the time to write it out 🎉😊

[@mommybreakdown]

@@littlemaniacinmyheadyou are so welcome!

[@Azores365]

It takes effort to keep up friendships. I noticed everyone wants to meet up more, but guess what, most people who say that also flake out constantly. I’ve learned to just call or invite people myself when I feel lonely, some will come through consistently, some wont. It has everything to so with your intention, not how much time or money you have.

[@h_a869]

How sad. As a 40 year old woman with 4 homeschooled kids, we are ALWAYS out and about!! The kids have other homeschool families on our street, they do their work and then they go and play for the day! And us moms rotate coffee mornings at our homes too.

[@trottfoxx4467]

Ive tried to get into homeschool groups both online and verbally in person Every time i get crickets. Its awkward when I ask in person and they get defective or drandofish after talking so highly of their own homeschool experience. I dont know whats with my area but no one locally wants to meet up or add new memebers even if they claim to be open. I would start my own group but im not academically smart enough and i have never observed how a homeschool group, works in person.

[@mikemadsen7926]

Do you have a 30 min commute 4 hours work 30 min break/standby 4 hours of work 30 min commute 60 minutes of cooking= 11 hours out of 16 and with that 5 hours of free time your to tired to do anything

[@h_a869]

@@trottfoxx4467 I am so sorry!!!!! I hope you guys are able to find a community! That really does stink.

[@h_a869]

@@mikemadsen7926 Nope, because my life choices were to find a man who wanted the same things I did out of a family/life and we made different choices. I worked from age 15-30 until we started a family, at which time I chose to dedicate my life to my family. So instead, I am the first one awake, I get breakfast ready for six, the kids get up and they prepare themselves, we start our homeschooling day. After lessons we go to the gym, we play outside, we go to the park, museums, library, whatever!! I made lunch, I make dinner, clean the house, do laundry, we always watch a family movie and have dinner together and then we start a new day. We all have life choices and the same 24 hours. There is no right and wrong, there is just what you need/have to do with the life you've cultivated for yourself.

[@talisikid1618]

Did you not hear? People have no time or money for that. 20% have too much and 80% don’t have enough.

[@Betterthanbasicivy]

One of the best MIP videos you have done yet! I love these video essays and appreciate how much work you put into them!

[@AshleyEmbers]

Thank you so much!! 💛

[@Barefootbunny]

​@@AshleyEmbers I agree, they are great, looking forward to these videos. Keep them coming 💪

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

In the past, there was always someone who did a lot of work to bring people together. (If we look at the 1950’s for example.) They often went unnoticed, but they understood how important it was. It’s up to you, to decide what kind of a world you want to create. It doesn’t get created alone. It counts on people to make things happen… Potluck dinners, everyone bring a dish… then everything comes together, that kids start playing in a yard and people have a good time passing a few hours together helps bring balance and joy and purpose and cohesion. It benefits everyone. Think about how you could be a part of this, to shape your surroundings.

[@kellymartinez7095]

Literally i work all day, I don’t even want kids I just want financial stability. Everything in this economy is expensive

[@anjalianthony1656]

The american culture of work, work, work is so unsustainable for your physical and mental health! Europeans have a better sense of separating work and life and have proper parental leave and 4-5 weeks annual leave/holidays to refresh themselves.

[@TheDiscoDuck]

This! 💯

[@Shay416]

So basically America got what they voted for?

[@marylynn259]

I'd enjoy life with many people to talk to on a daily basis. This comes from an introvert. Even I'm struggling with feeling so lonely. While studying here in another city, I've always had two female roommates, and we have always spent the 99% of the day in our rooms and not socialising. At the University, you rarely meet new friends because, after being done with the classes, everyone just goes home. Most people I've met and chatted with were from work, but then again when you leave that job you also leave them, you don't really stay in contact. I love being by myself, but I really think it's sometimes just wasting time: I want to be around people, not because I'm needy but because I find it being one of the life meanings- relationships. With people, animals, nature, but firstly with other people. It bothers me so much sometimes. I'd like to establish a small brand and family business and I hope I'd meet many people daily and be able to spend more time with family and friends, making more memories with them.

[@sapiomancer]

We've traded our humanity for convenience. And now it's circling back to bite us in the ass.

[@mariapuej]

I feel that in southern european countries we don’t have much of those places designated for children… but there may be an explanation for that… any public space can be used by children… for instance, it is kind of interesting going into the typical tapas bar in Spain and observe children, adults and elderly sharing the same space… it is kind of messy and loud… but it is a place for everybody… everyone enjoys and share a nice drink and food, and everyone is allowed to be loud 😂

[@domenico4808]

Yes as an italian I can confirm, plus most of the time grandparents are the one bringing children to parks

[@cecilyannette]

Love these MIP videos! I literally threw down my phone and made my husband put his down too so we could chat and connect 😂 we talked about ways we could get out and strengthen bonds in our community and reach out to friends we’ve been neglecting. Great inspo!

[@AshleyEmbers]

Wow, this is the best thing I could hope to come from my video 💛

[@DavidMiller-dt8mx]

I've been preaching the problems of capitalism for decades. Greed is a huge driver - as most have to struggle more and more, the top 1% has insane disparity with the rest of us. The costs of capitalism include a rash of mental health issues and problems for kids, the elderly, and the environment, in addition to loneliness. Nobody is actually self-made - everything requires the social infrastructure we all pay and work for.

[@purepit4ever1200]

I don’t recognize the world anymore. I just work and try to survive the day. It makes me sad. I spend most of my free time researching how to make friends. And how to make more money so I can maybe not be a wage slave anymore. Sometimes I try to reach out to people. But it’s typical to get a response 3 days later. It’s just weird how I communicate more through technology.

[@mariapuej]

I live in Denmark, most of my colleagues have young children, and I can tell they are not doing some social activities (like eating out) because they feel their children may make other people uncomfortable. I would like to meet with them -and their children-, but they would not do it unless they have arranged somebody else to take care of their children. Therefore, we seldom meet… Also, my feeling is that many people in Denmark feel lonely. It doesn’t help that loneliness is a taboo topic in conversations.

[@domenico4808]

That's a trait that I've seen It's common among central and north europeans societies. They don't like to bother people which Is ok but this isolate you from the community while us south european don't mind bothering others and kids being loud in public It's nothin to worry about

[@csakany95]

Really well researched topic, you did an amazing job again! Also, when I am watching these “motherhood in progress” videos, I feel so lucky that I am European, because so many of your problems don’t really apply to us, especially in the eastern european countryside where I live, we have other issues of course, but kids running around on the fields isn’t one of them 😊

[@casebeth]

This is the main reason I don't want kids. We have no Community to raise them within. No thanks.

[@poisonivy9820]

It is now up to us to accept defeat or create our own communities. It's really frustrating that even something as normal as wanting to have a family has become almost impossible.

[@casebeth]

@@poisonivy9820 i don't have the mental stamina to create community. Nor are the people around me interested

[@poisonivy9820]

@@casebeth I hope one day you manage to do it! Truth be told, I hope we all manage to...

[@casebeth]

​@@poisonivy9820 Everyone deserves community.

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

In the past, there was always someone who did a lot of work to bring people together. If we viva I go the 50’s for example. They often went unnoticed but they understood how important it was. It’s up to you, to decide what kind of a world you want to create. It doesn’t get created alone. It counts on people to make things happen… Potluck dinners, everyone bring a dish… then everything comes together, that kids start playing in a yard and people have a good time passing a few hours together helps bring balance and joy and purpose and cohesion. It benefits everyone. Think about how you could be a part of this, to shape your surroundings. ❤

[@pixelparable]

This video was absolutely brilliant!!!! Thank you for your hard work 🙏🏽

[@synger91]

ONe of your phrases really hit home. These third places ARE around, but not being used. We recently moved to another city and within the first year got a library card, joined a gaming group at the local hobby store, visited a bunch of farm markets and breweries, checked out a couple of the local parks, and joined a church. My daughter just graduated college and has joined a roller derby group and her boyfriend found a martial arts group, and they found a tabletop gaming group as well. You've got to get out there!

[@Shay416]

But all those activities except the libary cost money. I thought third spaces were suppose to be low cost

[@tourdumondelitteraire]

Love this topic!! Thabks for bringing it up!!

[@melaniemurphyofficial]

Absolutely phenomenal video ❤

[@annaaboltina7335]

You make so much sense. I’m so glad I found this channel.

[@AshleyEmbers]

💛

[@cuhdence9075]

GREAT VIDEO!!!! You're working your butt off on the Motherhood in Progress videos and IT SHOWS!!! ❤

[@AshleyEmbers]

Thank you ☺️

[@markos1491]

Thank you so much for this content. The work your doing is so important and relevant.

[@dancika123]

I love your videos and viewpoint, but I think the biggest thing you neglected to see in your research is that a huge factor in loneliness is the move away from organized religion. My husband and I moved our 3 kids to a whole new state where we had no family or friends and I was super nervous about making friends.. We joined the church here and they have a “life group” setup where they place you in a group of people to meet with weekly and have questions that open people up. It has been absolutely amazing! We have become like family with this group and gather weekly for our formal meetings, but also spend all the holidays together, go out to parks, meet at the library, and are just comfortable meeting at each other’s house. Our kids get to play with their kids freely. We don’t have to spent money to be friends and through the church process have gotten to know each other on a deep and meaningful level. Our church also offers a free indoor playground that is amazing in colder climates for gathering year round. There are tables and chairs set up and coffee available for parents to hang out while the kids are in a protected and enclosed area. Also through volunteer opportunities at the church we have made so many friends, just from the consistent interactions with the same people. I think if I were to remove all our friendships that we got from the church, we would have had an incredibly lonely move and it would’ve taken years to have become friends with others on the level we got too so quickly.

[@casebeth]

It's great that joining a church worked for you. Unfortnuately churches haven't exactly made the effort to reach out to young people and help them feel accepted as they are.

[@s.a.w5493]

​@casebeth and what if you're not religious or belong to a religion less represented in your area? These community resources should be available without the trade-off of joining a religion

[@casebeth]

@@s.a.w5493 I completely agree. I just don't see that happening at all.

[@heymer4274]

She did address this, not specifically by name, but churches and religious community are third places.

[@zoedomleo4056]

This is a very interesting point which I do agree with, even though I’m not religious at all and my family have never been involved with a church or religious group. But I see religious groups and how their faith brings them together to make a big family and it’s a beautiful thing

[@littlemaniacinmyhead]

I live in Germany but there are so many parallels to our life in the city. I grew up in a tiny village with lots of friends and I am so thankful I kept these friends (mostly from highschool) even tho we all moved far away from eath other. I am the only one in my friends group in university now that has more than 1-2 friends outside from uni. Thats so crazy to me! But also Third Places are a huge thing here too. A plane cup of coffee in our fav cafe is around 7$ and thats crazy expensive for a student. At least I live in a shared apartement but as the girl in the video said - sometimes I am too tired and dont even want to talk. I really hope things are changing again because I dont want to raise my future children in a society that is so emotional disconnected.

[@lemmings6516]

Same for meee. Unsere Kindheit war so anders als es heute möglich ist. Ich arbeite als Sozialarbeiterin und kriege es jeden Tag mit, auch die Angst der Eltern ist gestiegen, wir durften die Welt viel angstfreier erkunden

[@nicolegreene5515]

We moved from the city to the suburbs as soon as we had a child and I couldn’t be happier that I now know my neighbors and I’m closer to my parents. We are a two parent working household so having family and community nearby was definitely something we wanted. If we had stayed in the city I think we would have been a lot more isolated. Even though we had friends, we had none with kids and they are all working and busy themselves.

[@jamiesouza]

I was waiting for solutions. I had a friend once say 10% problem 90% solutions. I didn’t realize this video was for parents until the very end. I studied capitalism along with other systems and you need to have a healthy active citizenship voting for companies via dollars. Americans have gotten more into a learned helplessness era and it’s time to make our own things! Relying on city governments to create what we want or need is like watching frozen ice cream drip. People need to be proactive and start getting together and start building and creating! Not waiting for permission.

[@talisikid1618]

Who has the time? Or the money?

[@DanFeldmanAgileProjectManager]

“If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” - Albert Einstein

[@DanFeldmanAgileProjectManager]

Capitalism has eliminated a lot of third places over the last 5 to 7 decades.

[@DanFeldmanAgileProjectManager]

Clara Mattei’s The Capital Order provides very interesting historical examples from Italy and Britain.

[@missironmouse]

14:50 her schedule and commute reminds me of my dad growing up. He had zero social life and was miserable

[@s.a.w5493]

The video essay format is working really well! Excellent editing. And thank you for ruining your algorithm for research purposes haha

[@arianaquinonez7106]

Thank you for recognizing this!!! Feel this 100000000% as a stay at home/ homeschooling who refuses to pay for community

[@mcsahneschnecke2]

really nice video 🙂

[@AnuschkavanDijke]

Not dimissing the loneliness, but closer family structures as a network does have draw backs too. Less freedom to choose the future you want, more direct pressure to fall inline, some of the kids favored over others (siblings raising each other, the elder kids seen as free labour or free babysitters or cooks/cleaners, only one can inherit the family business or farm, others stand the chance of being outsourced to childless extended family with needs for free labor). Family structures can be just as lonely as being on your own. And having a different family structure myself, I often hear negatives remarks about the ways new types of famy structures have found to build a community (co-parents, three or four parent families, etc). Whilst those families proactively sought a way to build a network that suited them, and are thus very invested in that and keen to sustain and upkeep it. The nuclear family was a concept conceived by the church cos it suited them, but we can do better.

[@OfficialPixieR]

I'm commenting before the video and over. But hopefully this is mentioned in the video... Crime... a lot of have moved towards isolation and drowning ourselves in work because outside doesn't feel safe. Building community is a risk more than ever before. It's hard to trust people. So we have to work and build our safe spaces.

[@economicdevelopmentplannin8715]

Safety issues are not credible. Only 20k gun murders annually. But 3.4m die annually. Higher chance of winning the lottery or getting struck by lightning. Yes, work 4000 hours a year. But only to buy a bedroom bathroom suite on bus stops (100k to 200k) and a little portfolio for long-term capital gains (50k). After that, just focus on your marriage and babies ❤

[@Ashton8844]

the way the world is and how little time and energy or money i have left i have completely given up, everyday is mindless repetition and i just slowly wait for the weekend to have fun but when the weekend rolls around im too stressed about how i know in a couple days im going back to that cycle so im exhausted and just sleep through it and it never ends

[@meancookie89]

People are working : 40 plus hrs and tired as efff and only have 1 or 2 days off

[@rodgerlang884]

It’s been that way for decades, but this is a much more recent phenomenon. Somehow I work 40-50 hours a week and still find time for my wife and son, not to mention hanging with friends either at my house or theirs every Friday or Saturday. For decades people did this, it was just normal

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

You need to put the kids to bed by5:30 pm. A strict bedtime routine for yourself helps the body recover and set better energy levels. Children need to learn to do things themselves like washing and putting on their clothes and learning how to manage little tasks. Parents today, are indulging their children to the point of self exhaustion and satisfying them with all kinds of rewards which is making them even more hyper. It is normal to have 2 days off, but it’s challenging all the tasks required during your time off that it doesn’t feel like time off, so you aren’t rested when you go back to work. Kids need to be on a strict routine for you to have any successful time management in your life.

[@lsisak7651]

You can enjoy American life and not make that much money when you understand life. Its not all about having everything you want. It seems like most people aren't willing to take a cut in pay to have more time, then they complain and make false negative judgments on those who did take a cut in pay to have more time.

[@Shay416]

If your mortgage and basic car can take more than 50% of your pay. Take a cut where!?

[@NhojisJohn]

this video sums up the feeling i’ve had since i had my daughter in 2020. i crave community and togetherness from the world around me but there’s nothing to facilitate that in my area

[@kreevisful]

Wow. This is *TREMENDOUSLY* informative for people who are planning families. Thank you for making this documentary! Will share with my sugar mamiz. 🙏🐇💜

[@Qualasaid]

This was a very good video! It’s made me think about where my “third space” is and it’s also made me consider how I can contribute to creating a “third space” for parents who have small children, especially during the summer! I’m glad your video was recommended. You have a new sub!!

[@MrsLadyLiberty]

Hence why we have a long ad in the middle of a capitalism critique video. Gotta get that money because you don't have any community.

[@Shay416]

😂😂😂😂

[@Amytianaglobal]

This is very well researched and delivered. Thank you.

[@meganpelletier1166]

Awesome documentary Ashley.❤

[@kellyh3295]

absolutely loved this! it's really solidified things Ive been thinking recently, since becoming a stay at home mum. One other thing Ive been thinking how capitalism really frustrates the impulse to care for those around us, because we're made to feel that we should be paid for every action. Like I have time in the day where I feel like I could help some one out in a more adhoc way, but it feels like a barrier having to apply for specific jobs and become an employee. In the UK care in general is in crisis and I wonder how much this can be salvaged in such a ruthless capitalist society. Although I think proper taxation would be a start!

[@paulaannstewartTHANKFUL2024]

you are fantastic! very informative!!!

[@lfriasurzua]

damn, had me until the lame qualifier at the end that "CaPiTaLisM CaN sTilL bE gOOd guyyyssss."

[@Cryinginthecloudssss]

I’ve been going to the library lately and I can actually ride my bike there it’s been amazing. Even tho I’m still depressed I can definitely fell the difference in my head and physically with my body now that I’ve been able to get out of the house and go somewhere. I’ve also been enjoy going out for trail walks but I also know it’s a privilege to have a lot of them and to even have the time to do so

[@LauraCordes]

I didn't grow up in a nuclear family. My mom and my grandma raised me together. Three generations of women and one girl lived together in one house, which my mama bought and paid for in the late 70s, and it was heavenly. I had an extended family who pitched in to help my mom, who worked to support us, and my grandma stayed at home and educated me before I started kindergarten. She taught me to read and speak two languages, English and her native German, how to cook, sew, knit, fix things around the house, mathematics, art, music, and so much more. When mom came home, we had dinner on the table for her, flowers I picked from the garden, we cleaned up together, and my mom played with me and read to me before I went to bed. It was so peaceful, but for some reason, she thought I needed "more," so she married my stepfather. That ruined me. The nuclear family is a destructive myth that doesn't work in the real world.

[@1969bones69]

Your mother was a single mom. She failed from the beginning. Poor choices with the first man then poor choices on the next one. Yet you blame the man. Maybe your mother was lonely and you were just selfish. So much to unpack... You sound like you need therapy. Like most women.

[@justplainrye]

This is a great and thought-provoking essay. I think you'll find Radical Planning's video "Third Place vs Right to the City" very interesting too

[@darioscomicschule1111]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@kewayne888]

I been working on my social skills gor about 5 years now. I find that its harder to make new friends as a grown up than it is as a kids... Everyone is so geared up with fear to approach anyone an say hello to start a conversation is concidered sketchy an weird. Im not weird, im searching for connection between humans being humans.

[@MrsTurner]

Nice kick in the pants to have coffee with my neighbor I know nothing about, thanks Ashley!

[@mommybreakdown]

Aw, I love this!

[@imperialchalice]

Sharing this cause it’s vital ❤

[@HaloGirl67]

Yes, yes yes!

[@Monicamojito]

I don’t really get this…. If you don’t like your situation, take the reins, download google calendar and make time for the things you enjoy. If you’re not making enough money where you live, move. If you’re not making enough money in your industry, change your industry. I feel like there are 2 types of people in this world.

[@LoveAndSnapple]

I think the blonde woman in red really made me realize why I don't want to go back home and live with my parents: It really has nothing to do with me being too old to live at home or that I'm embarrassed. It's that life is so hard and demanding that to live with other people means that you need to make room for their wants and needs as well. When you come home after a long day when everyone has asked you for a million and one things, you don't want to make any mental space for anyone else. You just don't have the capacity.

[@AnimsOnDemand]

I am still for capitalism ultimately as a basis for our economic system, along with a couple safety nets and programs built into our system for those that truly need it, but this is definitely an eye-opening critique on how our current economy and even technology has ironically pushed us all further apart. I'd like to see a change. My gf and I want to start a family and one of my worries is no kind of support or connections.

[@hannietyler3097]

Thank you so much for making this video. I learned about Hyper Individualism and it's effect on the economy.

[@emilyzepeda5284]

Motherhood in Progress is SO well done and interesting!! I'm not a mom and I don't plan to be but obviously these are issues that affect all of us and you do such a good job of those that. Thank you!

[@AshleyEmbers]

Thank you so much for your kind words! My hope for the series has been to help help both parents and non-parents ☺️

[@jamesedwards6319]

Companies in the modern era love to chase theoretical "wider audiences" at the expense of the existing customer base. Extended families got replaced by the promise that a "bigger community" was out there waiting for you. So people chased marketed social trends that were explicitly anti-social, driving off their extended family units in favor of reaction ratios on social media. Those likes don't translate into real world support networks, because no one wants your instability at the family function. There's a lot in this video I agree with, but the extended family issue is way deeper than monetary issues.

[@ziggyfibonaccistardust8350]

We live in a system of financialism, not capitalism. Capitalism hasn't existed a single day I've been alive-I just turned 41 in March. Companies are allowed to fail and aren't bailed out in real capitalist systems. Financialism is a system in which the real economy plays a secondary role to the financial economy, in the process stripping future real economic profits for present consumption. While it bears similarities to the process often identified in the economic literature as "financialization," it differs in historical scope and suggests that financialism differs fundamentally from capitalism.

[@violettracey]

Thank you!

[@TRUTHseeker-101]

While I understand capitalism has become more greedy, STILL the alternative socialism/communism is a worse option. So what is to be done?

[@stoobs]

Its definitely an American problem. I work in the farming industry in the US and we have tons of Hispanics working with us. They work hard like 10 hrs a day 6 days a week but they are super family oriented. They all live in these packed houses with 2 or 3 generations living there. Partly to be able to afford rent here but it also creates a really cohesive family unit. It's just how there culture is they are extremely family and community oriented. Definitely something we have lost in this hyper individualistic technologically advanced society.

[@iannicollette]

Good video and I agree with almost everything that you said but over my dead body I will live again with my in laws that was a living hell. I work extra hours to support my family so I can have peace when I go home, my house not the other way around

[@merbst]

I realized that it had been 3 to 7 years since I had a face to face conversation with someone who is not a service worker or immediate family. I tried to rekindle old friendships, but never heard back from most people. Even my cousins seldom reply to me. I remain a radical socialist, but I have made a conscious effort to neglect my passion for mathematics and computter science in favor of writing essays, and learning about community development, to aid in an effort to create an atheist social environment that I see as thhe most promising option, that will hopefully offer a community that will help me someday launch my own anti-capitalist extracurricular enhancement curriculum for teens and adults, and my other ambition of creating an epistemic justice society for ending gullibility.

[@AddictiveSin]

Literally too hard to watch. Been scream for years that there is NOWHERE to go. NOTHING to do. Of course we don't have friends! We don't have ANYTHING

[@babyg7796]

I’ve been like this since 18-3 years before Covid and when I claimed about this social isolation ppl thought I was just complaining….now they see what I’m talking about. I’ve had to work 3 jobs since 19 since I had to live alone…now this is norm. When you are working just to survive you literally don’t have enough to LIVE let alone go out & socialize. The economy has contributed to this isolation. When you’re paying $2k+ for a 1bed, most average ppl just want to enjoy the roof over their head that they’re breaking their back to afford. It’s a double edged sword.

[@megancox9549]

I see this so much! Obviously capitalism has brought helpful things, but the lack or social support is concerning! As people live longer and need more care I'll be curious to see if this changes since assisted living or nursing homes seem over capacity already and underfunded. But what's the alternative?

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

More anarchist, socialist and communist structures

[@stefanielozinski]

Subsidiarity

[@ErutaniaRose]

My therapist and I had a revelation kinda on this topic. Our society, the US, does not know how to disagree with one another. This is happening through both polarizing politics, but more pervasively with people in social bubbles on the internet. That's not to say there are NO reasons to disagree and stay away from a person, duh there are, but that people do not know how to get along with others that are not 100% like them now because of our collective isolation and social bubbles online. Capitalism is literally making us hate each other more.

[@ericalexanderson3442]

Okay how do these KZbin’s stomach putting all these ads in a video about how money is making us lose all our time….

[@pixelparable]

The book feminism against progress discusses this familial shift. Very interesting

[@ColumineMiette]

One big problem is that people can't trust their families or strangers. It's so dangerous where i live. Our families have extremely different political opinions than we do, and instead of being quiet about it, it affects every moment of every day. Living together is not an option.

[@jenellejessop2454]

I think individual homes for families are a good idea. A way to share little used things would be libraries of them. Can borrow and bring it back.