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An Italian couple have sought legal help to persuade their 41-year-old son to fly the nest, Italian media reported.
The Venetian parents, who have not been named, say their son has a job but refuses to leave home and wants his clothes washed and his meals prepared.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14995588
I know it's Italy and all, but 41 years old and living at home... I'm 16 years younger than him and there's no way I could cope living at home again - anyone know any parents who'd let this go on so long or who'd call in the lawyers to get their child to leave?
I'm pretty sure that in traditional Italian culture it is typical for the men to continue to live with their parents until they are married and the mothers continue to take care of their sons (laundry, meals, etc.) So while I'm sure they'd hoped he be married by 41 I don't think it's all that unusual.
It's sort of sad to see Italy becoming Americanized. I liked that there were still foreign cultures with multiple generation households.
You're joking? You think it is a good thing that a 41 year old man be able to live with his parents against their will and get them to do his domestic chores? Of course if someone
"...demand[ed} that his clothes be washed and ironed and his meals prepared. He really has no intention of leaving."
Of me, I would tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine.
My elderly parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles are all going to be welcome in my home rather than a nursing home. But the above is ridiculous.
It's sort of sad to see Italy becoming Americanized. I liked that there were still foreign cultures with multiple generation households.
I wouldn't say it was a case of them being Americanised, just a case of somebody old enough to know better abusing his parents' hospitality and them allowing it for too long. As far as I am aware the average age for an Italian to leave home is actually rising with the economic crisis hitting hard over there. And what kind of adult would insist on staying somewhere where he was no longer wanted as if it was his right?
[quote=ben86;20974225]I wouldn't say it was a case of them being Americanised, just a case of somebody old enough to know better abusing his parents' hospitality and them allowing it for too long. As far as I am aware the average age for an Italian to leave home is actually rising with the economic crisis hitting hard over there. And what kind of adult would insist on staying somewhere where he was no longer wanted as if it was his right?[/quote]
You're joking? You think it is a good thing that a 41 year old man be able to live with his parents against their will and get them to do his domestic chores? Of course if someone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ben86
I wouldn't say it was a case of them being Americanised, just a case of somebody old enough to know better abusing his parents' hospitality and them allowing it for too long. As far as I am aware the average age for an Italian to leave home is actually rising with the economic crisis hitting hard over there.
In Italy, the norm is for many generations to live under the same roof, married or unmarried. It's even more common for middle aged men to remain in their parents' homes if they dont' marry. I just think it's a shame that the traditional style of living is changing to being more Americanized. Then again, maybe this article is about an isolated incident---one family bucking the norm. That's more likely, actually.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ben86
And what kind of adult would insist on staying somewhere where he was no longer wanted as if it was his right?
I'm not talking about the adult son. I'm talking about the parents' mentality shifting away from Italian tradition of multigenerational households. Interestingly, multigenerational households are on the rise in the US.
In Italy, the norm is for many generations to live under the same roof, married or unmarried. It's even more common for middle aged men to remain in their parents' homes if they dont' marry. I just think it's a shame that the traditional style of living is changing to being more Americanized. Then again, maybe this article is about an isolated incident---one family bucking the norm. That's more likely, actually.
I'm not talking about the adult son. I'm talking about the parents' mentality shifting away from Italian tradition of multigenerational households. Interestingly, multigenerational households are on the rise in the US.
Probably better for the freeloading son in the long run. I don't value any tradition, no matter how long standing, that allows someone to demand someone else take care of their domestic chores. Not all change is bad. Not sure what this has to do with being Americanized.
I'm talking about the parents' mentality shifting away from Italian tradition of multigenerational households.
Might be less about the parents being against tradition and more about the parents unwillingness to be treated like servants in their own home. I suspect if the 41 year old son was respectful, helpful and loving to his parents, they would be happy to uphold the traditional way.
If my parents lived in Venice I could see myself refusing to move out. Though I'd know a good thing when I saw it and not be a jerk about the laundry.
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I'm 16 years younger than him and there's no way I could cope living at home again - anyone know any parents who'd let this go on so long or who'd call in the lawyers to get their child to leave?
