OUR home is a humble symbol of tradition and togetherness in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, where skyscrapers typically pierce the sky and life races ahead.
In an era where independence often precedes interdependence, my family and I have chosen a less travelled path: living together across generations.
Sharing a home with my parents, siblings and immediate family members since 2018 has strengthened our bonds and enriched our lives in countless ways.
Our family home is a microcosm of life, brimming with laughter, occasional disagreements and shared moments of joy. Each generation brings its unique flavour to the mix.
My parents, the anchors of the family, offer wisdom and guidance, often regaling us with stories from their past. My siblings and I contribute to the hustle and bustle of daily life, balancing careers and family responsibilities while the younger generation – my nieces and nephews – inject boundless energy, curiosity and a fresh perspective into our lives.
Life in Kuala Lumpur can be demanding, with its relentless traffic jams and work deadlines but having family close by provides an invaluable safety net. Whether it is my mother’s comforting meals after a long day or
my siblings stepping in to help with childcare, there is always someone to lean on.
Unlike many modern households where family members barely cross paths, our daily interactions foster deeper connections. Simple moments like shared dinners, weekend outings or gathering around the television become precious opportunities to strengthen our relationships.
The benefits of our living arrangement extend to every family member. For my nieces and nephews, growing up in a multigenerational home offers an enriching environment where they are exposed to diverse perspectives, from their grandparents’ old-school wisdom to their aunts and uncles’ tech-savvy insights. This nurtures their adaptability and deepens their understanding of family values.
Living together also makes practical sense in an expensive city like Kuala Lumpur – shared expenses reduce individual burdens, and having multiple adults means household tasks can be divided more efficiently.
Perhaps the greatest gift of our living arrangement is the emotional security
it provides. There is profound comfort in knowing you are never alone, whether you are celebrating milestones or navigating life’s challenges.
Of course, living with multiple generations is not without its hurdles. Differences in opinions, lifestyles and routines can sometimes lead to conflict – my parents’ traditional approach occasionally clashes with the younger generation’s modern outlook, and sharing common spaces can spark minor disagreements. However, we have learned that open communication and mutual respect are key to harmony.
Regular family meetings help us address issues before they escalate, and we are careful to respect each other’s privacy by maintaining designated personal spaces.
Our home has become a vibrant sanctuary of heritage and continuity, where cultural traditions thrive and
pass naturally from one generation to the next.
From celebrating Hari Raya with grandeur to teaching traditional recipes, we embody the gotong-royong spirit – the Malay ethos of cooperation. This spirit of togetherness extends beyond our immediate family to embrace friends and neighbours, creating a warm community within our urban setting.
As I look to the future, I see our multigenerational home as more
than just a living arrangement – it is a powerful reminder of what matters most in life.
In our fast-paced world where technology often replaces human connection, our home stands as testament to the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interactions and shared experiences.
Through the daily dance of compromise, care and celebration, we are not just preserving a traditional way of life; we are creating a blueprint for future generations about the profound richness that comes from choosing connection over convenience.
Our story shows that while the path of multigenerational living may not always be the easiest choice in modern times, it offers rewards that far outweigh its challenges – rewards
that ripple through generations, strengthening not just our family but our community and culture as a whole.
Hazreena Hussein is an associate professor of architecture at the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
