Housemate desirability and understanding the social dynamics of shared living.

Abstract

Shared living among young adults is an increasingly widespread way of life in the Western world, yet surprisingly little is known about this lifestyle. The rationale for this research was to increase understanding of the social dynamics of these non-kin households. Data was obtained from interviews with experienced New Zealand house sharers aged 20 to 35. Detailed discourse analysis is presented of housemate desirability with three key discourses involved. First, ideal coresidents are acutely aware of the necessity for a fine balance between being sufficiently sociable with each other, while simultaneously respecting the necessity of individual privacy and independence. Second, those with similar lifestyles, life stages, values, and expectations of each other are more conducive to compatibility. Third, mutual trust and feeling comfortable with housemates is imperative. The current research provides a window into contemporary lives of young adults and contributes to a broader knowledge of how nonfamilial relationships can work successfully or fail in the intimate confines of domesticity.

A fine balance: A review of shared housing among young adults

“…This is closely aligned to housemate selection, which is based on speculation as to who might be an acceptable flatmate (Clark et al, ). Desirability is based on successful previous experiences and the necessity of workable living arrangements.…”

“…The majority of research undertaken on young adult house sharing is qualitative. Interviews have been the preferred research technique, employing a range of methodologies from grounded theory ( Natalier, ; Williamson, ) to Biographical Interviewing (Heath et al, ) through to discourse analysis (Clark et al, ).…”

“…Desirable flatmates are formulated as similar to each other in a number of ways, with concordant expectations of each other. While endorsing research suggesting that people prefer flatmates who are not dissimilar in age, ethnicity, and culture (Clark & Tuffin, ) the list includes similar values, morals and interests (Clark et al, ). Whereas the necessity for the same homogenous values and beliefs supports literature that relationships are easier to sustain under these conditions (Arnett, ), constructing ideal flatmates in terms of similarities increases understandings regarding discrimination toward dissimilar prospective flatmates (Clark & Tuffin, ).…”

“…The importance of housemates having the same expectations of each other suggests that people have different ideas about house sharing. Disputes can arise over how sharing should be structured, including the degree of closeness and standard of cleanliness and tidiness required (Clark et al, ; Heath & Cleaver, ). Rituals, such as eating together, important for the development of relationships based on shared values, can build solidarity and generate collective identities (Heath et al, ; Williamson, ).…”

“…Given the popularity of shared housing (Mackie, ) the literature is surprisingly limited, apart from Heath and Cleaver's () seminal study in the UK and a couple of studies in Australia (McNamara & Connell, ; Natalier, ). Due to resurgence in research recently in both the UK (Heath, Davies, Edwards & Scicluna, ) and New Zealand (Clark, Tuffin, Frewin, & Bowker, , ), the area is experiencing a period of reinvigoration. This paper presents an overview of what is known about young adult house sharing, how households are organised and how interpersonal dynamics can work.…”