Erika and Cody Archie, a couple from Gatesville, Texas, stirred up a heated online debate when they revealed they expected their daughter to start paying rent immediately after finishing high school. Some critics felt their approach was too strict, while others praised it as a valuable lesson in financial responsibility.
Known for sharing their ranch life on TikTok, the Archies posted a video explaining their decision. Their daughter, Kylee Deason, graduated in May 2022 and chose not to pursue college. As a result, Cody told her she would need to start contributing $200 a month in rent beginning June 1, 2022.
Cody saw this as a reasonable way to teach Kylee independence, remarking, “Two hundred bucks a month is plenty cheap to live like a grub in your parents’ house.” Erika admitted she initially thought her husband’s timeline was harsh and suggested a little more leeway, but ultimately agreed with the principle. They even noted that if Kylee wanted to eat their groceries, she’d need to add $100 more.
The internet’s response was split. Some commenters insisted charging rent created unnecessary stress, arguing children should always have a home with their parents. Others felt strongly that young adults should contribute financially once they start working, with one user calling $200 “a steal.”
Supporters emphasized that the policy wasn’t about money, but about preparing Kylee for real-life expenses. Several parents shared that they had also charged their children rent to teach budgeting skills.
While multi-generational living is increasingly common—Pew Research Center reports 50% of Americans aged 18–29 live with parents—this Texas family’s stance proved that when it comes to parenting styles, opinions remain sharply divided.
