Tell me about it. That sums up Boston parents’ reaction to new research by UCLA-affiliated social scientists concluding that American families are overwhelmed by clutter, too busy to go in their own backyards, rarely eat dinner together even though they claim family meals as a goal, and can’t park their cars in the garage because they’re crammed with non-vehicular stuff.
The team of anthropologists and archeologists spent four years studying 32 middle-class Los Angeles families in their natural habitat — their toy-littered homes — and came to conclusions so grim that the lead researcher used the word “disheartening” to describe the situation we have gotten ourselves into.
Comments
What rubbish - literally. Listen, people, you don't need to buy 50 rolls of toilet paper at once, and your children don't need all those toys (that they'll play with for five minutes and then ignore). "Buying in bulk" is a false economy. Buy what you have room for, not what Costco is trying to push on you!
Terrific piece. We face similar challenges in our house too although I feel better compared to several people pointed out that have lost it. To have a garage in New England and not have it available for you car is insane. I think George Carlin covered this with his "stuff" bit which was hysterical. We make several trips to the dump every year but the stuff keeps piling up!
Why are people willing to tell the world that they have lost control of their lives?
Great award winning piece!
People even have digital clutter. I shudder internally when some of my friends ask me if I want to see some of their photos. Sometimes hundreds of just average shots. People, edit and delete! Please!
I agree with downsizing, but think about shelters and other places where things can get recycled - not thrown into dumsters. I mean, she said it herself, "Those things are expensive." Let some child with nothing enjoy a few of the things that your children had in excess. There's a book - forget the name - in it the main character has to get rid of something before getting something new. For instance, if he wants a new CD - he has to decide on which CD to get rid of - or he always has the same amount of stuff. Interesting. Worth giving it a try.