Chhun Venyuory

Journal Writing (Final draft) A2.2

Topic: Living with parents and living away from parents (compare/contrast essay)

Living with parents is something that most people do since they were born; however,

leaving parents and living alone are inevitable. At some point, children would have to live alone

and make their own living. Living with parents and living away from parents have their own pros

and cons. Many differences occur when it comes to living with parents and living away from

parents: independence, finance, physical and emotional support.

The most consequential difference between living with parents and away from

parents is independence. Most people decide to live alone because they want freedom. Living

with parents can be very strict sometimes. Some parents are authoritarian; they establish many

rules for children to obey. For instance, when children want to go anywhere, they can’t just

leave, but they have to inform parents the detail information about the leaving. Compared to

living alone, children can define their own independence and freedom; they wouldn’t be under

anyone’s control. Moreover, children do not have to ask permission to go out or they can hang

out with friends the whole night if they want. Throwing party at their own place with friends,

they don’t have to worry about getting blame from parents. Living away from parents, children

are able to learn many things by themselves and take responsibility.

In addition, there is an obvious difference in finance when it comes to living with

parents and living alone. Financial issue often materializes when people decide to live away from

parents. Living alone, children need to support themselves financially on basic needs. People will

have to work part-time or full-time jobs in order to pay for shelter, food, health care,

transportation. In contrast, living with parents, children don’t have to suffer earning money at all.

Whenever children run into financial problem, family or parents are the ones that they can turn

to. Parents will support the children unconditionally.

 Parents offer ultimate emotional and physical support; however, children might not

get the support when they live away from parents. Parents have always been so supportive and

caring since the day children were born. Parents maintain physical necessities for children

endlessly like food, clothing and shelter. For instance, living with parents, children could enjoy

favorite food, sleep on comfortable bed. Furthermore, parents also offer health care to sick or

injured family members. Parents are thoughtful; they will do whatever they can to take care of

their children. On the other hand, people will have to suffer if they live away from parents.

Living alone can be inconvenient; children will have to buy daily needs, will have to cook and

will have to clean the house all by themselves. Additionally, being sick, children will have to

suffer and recover the illness alone. Emotional support plays an important role in people’s lives.

Parents are the ones that children can confide in when they run into emotional problems.

Children could feel secure to share their feeling with parents. No matter what happens, parents

will support children perpetually; they are genuinely children biggest support system. Compared

to living alone, when people have dilemma, they might keep inside themselves and try to deal

with it on their own. Nevertheless, it will be stressful to solve the emotional issues alone. As a

consequence, some people would count on their friends; however, friends are not as secure or

helpful as family members.

Living with parents and living away from parents have tremendous differences.

Children will find both advantages and disadvantages on both sides. Nevertheless, at the end of

the day, it depends on children themselves who will take over their responsibilities, no matter in

what condition they are living in.