There is a significant number of young people residing with their parents as well as young couples choosing to continue the co-residence even after their marriage in Japan. The aim of this...Show moreThere is a significant number of young people residing with their parents as well as young couples choosing to continue the co-residence even after their marriage in Japan. The aim of this dissertation is to show that in many cohabitating households parents depend on their children rather than children on their parents. Since 1960 all industrialized countries have undergone various changes during the process of the so-called demographic transitions. These phenomena have been described by R. Lesthaeghe, who was the first one to argue that all industrialized countries have undergone two distinctive transitions (the First Demographic Transition and the Second Demographic Transition), which brought about contemporary social transformations. I discuss whether this contention is applicable to Asia and can explain current changes in living arrangements in Japan. Not long after researchers have become interested in explaining the new phenomenon a book by Masahiro Yamada entitled: “Parasaito shinguru no jidai” (“The age of the parasite single”), has been published. From this time young adults who continue living with their parents have become stigmatized and blamed for Japan’s problems. In order to point out the gap in the theoretical framework it is paramount to look at the problem from different point of views. Thus, I describe the parasite single theory as well as present the critique around the issue. The analysis of statistic data on living arrangements provided by European Commission (Eurostat) as well as Statistics Bureau of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan provides an insight into the changes in living arrangements in Japan since 1980s, especially pointing at the prevalence of family and cohabitation. Furthermore, my own empirical research (interview results) are presented. The case studies supplement the statistical data and provide the scope of the reality in which people have to operate and make choices. What I want to achieve is draw attention to the fact that the phenomenon of intergenerational households exists and ought to be looked upon from different perspective than it has been thought up until now.Show less
