Comments on: Co-opcrisy?

By: Onely

Onely — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:41:08 +0000

That’s true. . . although I guess we have to commit to people in some capacity throughout our life. In some circumstances a group might have more flexibility built into it than one individual person would (though don’t tell that to the people in Guyana who drank the Kool-Aid. . . ) CC

By: sw

sw — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:46:49 +0000

this might be an ignorant thing to say, but if committing to one person and their habits doesn’t suit, then why would committing to twenty?

By: Singletude: A Positive Blog for Singles

Singletude: A Positive Blog for Singles — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:47:01 +0000

Yep, there are lots of ways to promote alternative living arrangements and community involvement other than with just co-ops. (And, BTW, I would’ve run shaking from the communal kitchen, too!)

Personally, I would like to see more acceptance of extended, multigenerational family housing. I also think roommates are awesome for those who want them. Even better for people who want to live more independently are condos that have strong community associations where neighbors can meet and really get to know each other, sort of like April suggested. And, honestly, I think if every single one of us wanted to live alone, that would be fine, too. You can still be involved with other people without living with them, and you can help in all kinds of ways that don’t entail preparing large meals or doing housework if that’s not your thing.

So, short answer: No, you’re not a hypocrite!

By: April

April — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:36 +0000

I totally agree with Alan.
I too value my space and time alone. I would love a single parents community where we helped each other out with clothes swaps, babysitting swaps, etc., but in my vision, we all have our own space, too!

By: Alan

Alan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:23:33 +0000

I don’t think you’re being hypocritical.

That community was one alternative to the traditional couple. There are others that might suit you better.

I think the whole point of coming up with new paradigms is to open up new possibilities, a whole range of them. The traditional couple will suit some, others will be drawn to a communal model like the one above. Some will live alone and be more solitary, others will live alone and spend lots of time interacting with friends, family, and others. And those are only some of the possibilities.

I too have thought about more communal forms of living, but like you I need space and independence. I don’t see this as a drawback, but as a necessary condition to be effective in this world (and a reaction against having been a bit of a doormat).