Time to leave mama and papa! Elderly Italian couple take legal action to force son, 41, to move out of home
By Nick Pisa In Rome
22nd September 2011
An Italian couple have resorted to legal action to get their 41-year-old son to pack up his bags and leave home.
The elderly parents, who have not been named, have hired a lawyer after claiming that they are 'too tired' to carry on cooking, cleaning and ironing for their son - who has a well paid job of his own.
He has now been served with a letter ordering him to leave the family home 'within ten days' or face a court hearing to ensure that he finally flies the nest.
The couple, who live in Mestre near Venice, have resorted to help from lawyer Andrea Campi, who works with the local consumer association, but the man, who has also not been identified, has made it clear he has no intention of leaving.
Mr Campi said: 'They have tried several times in vain to persuade their son to leave the family home but with no effect - so that is why they have resorted to this action and asked me to help.
'He has been sent a letter warning him that he has to leave within ten days or face court action.
'The father has told me that he and his wife can no longer carry on living as they are.
'Both he and his wife are suffering from stress and she has been admitted to hospital as a result.
'The son insists on staying at home, in the same room he has had since he was a child and he has his meals prepared for him and his clothes ironed as well.
'He has a good job and is well paid but the father says he just will not move out.'
Mr Campi added:'The letter says he must leave within ten days or it will go before a judge in the court of Venice.'
Across Italy the phenomenon of 'bamboccione' or 'big baby' is widespread with both men and women staying at home until well into their 30s as they are unable to afford housing of their own.
According to the latest statistics Italians live at home longer than any of their European counterparts with figures showing that of the 25 to 30-year-old age range, an amazing 56 per cent still live at home with their parents, compared with 21 per cent of Germans and just 5 per cent of Swedes - with the average age of leaving home being 36.
The reasons given for the reluctance are mainly financial, with many claiming that poor wages, high rents and the difficulty in finding suitable accommodation make it impossible to leave the comfort of mama and papa.
Even for those fortunate enough to have found work, the chances are they are still living at home with the same posters of their favourite footballers or pop stars on their bedroom walls that they put up as teenagers.
Three years ago the Italian government said it was considering a scheme whereby a cash incentive would be offered to youngsters to leave home with money being made available to help for deposits on accommodation but the plans were never passed.
Last year Cabinet Minister Renato Brunetta, 61, revealed that he was a classic 'bamboccione', staying at home and having his bed made by his mother until he was 30.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1YfyXJ6dF
