For many millennials, growing up with a large circle of cousins was a significant influence on their childhood memories. However, as more people choose not to become parents, the tradition of having a large group of cousins may be disappearing. In a TikTok video, Kelsey Meyers raised the question of whether millennials are the last generation to experience this dynamic with cousins. She reflects on her own childhood, where she had numerous cousins on both sides of her family, while her children have only a small group of cousins. The contrast between her childhood, spent playing with cousins every weekend, and her children’s experience, with limited cousin interaction, is striking. Kelsey highlights the sense of trust and camaraderie among cousins that was prevalent in her childhood but seems to be missing for her children.
Kelsey recalls how she and her cousins would spend weekends at various relatives’ houses, running around and playing together. She fondly reminiscences about the trusting relationship between the older and younger cousins, where the older ones kept an eye out for the younger ones, even if it meant getting into mischief together. However, she notes that this type of interaction and bond is now lacking for children being raised by millennials. She discusses how her children have few cousins and how that affects their family dynamics, especially during holidays. Kelsey paints a picture of chaotic family gatherings from her childhood, where many children were running around and parents were less attentive compared to today’s more streamlined family gatherings.
Responding to Kelsey’s observations, many viewers in the comments section agreed with her points. Some shared their own experiences of their children having zero cousins or significantly fewer cousins than they had when they were growing up. The sentiment of missing the large family gatherings and the absence of multiple cousins to play and bond with was a common theme. The trend of having fewer cousins seems to be more common among millennials, with some attributing it to their siblings’ choices to not have children. However, there were also examples of families with multiple cousins, especially among those of ethnic origin where larger families are more common.
The shift towards having fewer cousins and smaller family gatherings reflects broader societal trends, including changing attitudes towards family size, marriage, and parenting. The impact of these changes on children’s experiences and relationships with extended family members is evident in the contrast between millennials’ childhoods and their children’s experiences. While some may miss the large cousin circles and chaotic family gatherings of the past, others appreciate the more focused and intimate interactions that come with smaller family gatherings. Ultimately, the evolution of family dynamics and relationships with cousins highlights the changing landscape of family structures and traditions in today’s society, with millennials at the forefront of these shifts.
