> They complained that 60% of people on minimum wage can't afford a 2 bedroom apartment in the USA but coming from Tokyo my first thought was "why is the standard a 2 bedroom apartment?"
I don't think the person you are replying to is actually confused about what someone would do with more space, but instead, making a point about cultural standards.
Even leaving aside kids, even decades ago when I rented, I really liked having a separate office. Also guest bedroom, hobby room, etc. Even as a single person I appreciated having a two bedroom apartment.
If everyone, minimum wage and white collar alike, is bidding for housing in the same, limited market, it hardy seems surprising that “housing with more/extra rooms” might be bid out of reach of those least able to pay.
I don’t see people arguing why you shouldn’t want extra bedrooms so much as lamenting that some can’t afford two of them.
I admittedly read the upthread comment as "Why on earth do people want/feel they need two bedroom apartments?" in the same vein as I am sometimes tempted to go "Why?" with respect to huge mansions.
Perhabs to have a second bedroom for kids?