How many here could depend on a close family member or friend in times of need?

[fujiyama]

How many here could fall back on a family member or close friend in times of need, where that family member or friend will welcome you to stay as long as you need, indefinitely with no terms - where you don't have to pay rent, food, etc?

Just wondering because I think many in our country are just completely disconnected with their community and family in general. With a weak government safety net, little access to health care, and an easy access to guns, depression, and violence are not surprising results, especially when the economy is in such poor shape...

[TexasObserver]

1. I could do so, if I ever had to do so. Can't imagine it, but know I could.

I'm very close to my parents, my children (all adults), and my siblings.

[uppityperson]

2. Of course I could. Would have to relocate, but yes. Same goes for my family.

Friends other than family, not so much open ended, but my family is quite close.

[murielm99]

3. Family, yes.

With friends, there are some who might offer assistance for a limited amount of time. They might be likely to use their connections to help me find a job or other assistance, too.

But my immediate family would help each other with no limits. Some of my extended family might do that, too.

Right now, I have someone who has come to my house to do some repair jobs for me. He lost his job and has only part-time work. I have given him and his fiance food out of my cupboards, too. There is another person whose prescriptions I have paid for when I happened to be at the pharmacy. I didn't do this because I am rich. I'm not. Some of the people I have helped in quiet ways might remember me if the tables were turned. I hope so.

[Skittles]

4. could but I wouldn't

[Berry Cool]

5. It would be very difficult because my other family members

are not made of money either.

[Control-Z]

6. My sister, 3000 miles away

would help, no matter what.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Without Family, What Do You Have?

Maybe I'm from some strange planet, but I still am on my first marriage (over 25 yeras married, over 30 years together) and have two great children who I wouldn't hesitate to rely on and visa versa...no strings, no time limits. They've been my emotional safety net.

In my parents final years, their care and comfort was first and foremost...even above work or other activities. I stayed close to make sure they got the best care and their final wishes were fulfilled. We're in a similiar situation with my mother-in-law...and again...her care and welfare is of top importance here. We've stayed close all these years for this reason. We both believe our parents sacraficed a lot in their lives for us and this is our obligation. Appears my children feel the same way as well.

Unfortunately I know many families where this isn't the case. Kids have moved on to careers and then onto other parts of the country...families disintegrate and elderly parents are left o deal with aging and other difficulties on their own. When one of my parents was in a nursing home...I would visit almost every day, but couldn't help notice the many who were there who never had a visitor...ignored by family members who had difficultires seeing people get old and dealing with their problems.

We definitely have a social disconnect in this country...but its not just families. I have many neighbors on my block who've never talked to one another. Or I've been to parties where people clump in their own groups...safety in their own numbers, and don't socialize with those they don't know. I'd blame television, telephones and even the internet as allowing people to totall disconnect from the human touch...along with a culture that focused way too long on self fulfilment over the sense of the common good.

[stray cat]

8. I would have to be unemployed to be able to move but yes

[trayfoot]

9. Yes, both family and friends.

[madrchsod]

10. done that a few times since the 70`s.

my parents did the same during the 30`s

[lukasahero]

11. We ARE the family/friend that others turn to in time of need

That said, I believe were we to need assistance, we have both family and friends who would take us in, no strings attached.

[dysfunctional press]

12. as long as my parents have a basement, there will always be a spot for me.

i can depend on family a lot more than friends, in that regard.
although- my friends can always depend on me for whatever i am capable of doing if they are in any kind of need.

[LWolf]

13. I, and my family, can.

We are a tiny little family. My mom, myself, my two grown sons, and my grandson.

We all know that we are there for each other whenever needed.

My mom moved in with me 30 years ago for awhile, when she was getting back on her feet after a career setback.

I moved back in with her 10 years after that, when I was recovering from a divorce.

My younger son moved in with me for 2 years, to care for me during a crisis, and then moved back in with me again a few years later when he needed help learning to be a single parent.

My older son is considering the same, after losing his job to cuts last month.

What is mine is theirs, what is ours is ours. There aren't many of us, but our bonds are strong.

[TBF]

14. My mom owns a duplex -

small town thousands of miles away, but we're always welcome. I took in my brother 2 yrs ago when he was a casualty of the mortgage meltdown in CA (and he sure had some good stories about mortgage scams). He only stayed a couple months before he was gainfully employed again - but my kids loved having their uncle around all the time! Thankfully he stayed in our metropolitan area so we can still see him frequently.

[SOS]

15. No

My wife and I are on our own. Only one living relative between us, who wouldn't help.
Friends would help, but can't due to their own financial hell.
If things continue to spiral down, the only help will be Chapter 7 of the US Code.