Parents defend charging daughter rent to live at home two weeks after she finished school

A set of parents have well and truly divided opinion after admitting they charged their daughter rent to live at home just two weeks after finishing school.

Of course, graduating from school and becoming an adult means taking on a whole load of new responsibilities - including spending your money on a lot of not-so-fun things like rent and bills.

But what about when the monthly rent goes into the pockets of your parents?

Well, this is exactly what TikTokers Erika and Cody Archie, from Gatesville, Texas, have done to their 19-year-old daughter, Kylee.

Erika and Cody have gained nearly a million followers on the social media platform, giving fans an insight into their life on a ranch - and one of those insights is their decision to charge Kylee $200 a month in rent.

Kylee graduated high school in May 2022 and did not plan on going to university. So on 1 June, within two weeks of graduating, she was paying rent to her parents.

"Our thought together is that since [Kylee] has graduated I told her... I been telling her, 'June 1st, our rent's due if you continue to live here',' Cody said in a TikTok video posted last year, admitting to being slightly stricter than Erika.

"I thought that was a little harsh, I mean maybe a little leeway," the mum then said, to which Cody added: "200 bucks a month is plenty cheap to live like a grub in your parents' house."

"That's cheaper than she eats in food,' Erika then said. "We think it teaches them a good lesson in paying bills."

Naturally, opinion was very much divided online, with many expressing their shock over the parents charging their child monthly rent.

"A definite no for me… I know it’s rare, but I will forever help my kids… no matter the age," one user said, to which Cody responded directly with: "No one ever said we wouldn’t be here to help our kids forever."

While another added: "Only if she’s killing it making better money than you. Otherwise support her until she does!"

And a third said: "Nooooooo! They’re my babies! Always and forever."

However, many agreed with Cody and Erika's decision, with one saying: "totally agree 100% they have to learn responsibility. they are grown now."

One even compared to their own experiences, adding: "I started paying rent at 16 when I started working after school so i think you are being very generous."

And another pointed out: "My son will be paying rent if he isn’t getting an education. All rent will be put into a saving account for him when he moves out."

Well, it seems as if Kylee isn't the only young person choosing to live at home with her parents.

According to a study held by Aviva last year, a fifth of independently-living adults in the UK are contemplating moving back in with parents to cope with the rising cost of living

And Official (ONS) figures show 4.8 million adults between the ages of 18 and 34 live with their parents in the UK.