In affluent countries, younger people are increasingly dissociated from a work ethic and expect to be supported, even dependent on parents and state. The UK has its “failed fledglings” living at home. Italy calls it bamboccioni (big babies) and Germany calls it “living at hotel mama.” Australians call it “boomerang children.” Chinese call it “tang ping” which means “lying flat.” Japan has its "parasite singles" and hikiomori shut ins (teens progressing to living at home into their 40’s in a seemingly permanent lifestyle). In the USA and Canada the term is "basement-dweller", with the implication of idleness and social awkwardness. The Israelis have gone so far as to declare it a syndrome and name it “entitled dependence”.
Almost a third of Australian adults aged up to 34 are still living with their parents. The majority of adult children are not paying their way, with 60 per cent living rent or board-free and 75 per cent not contributing to household bills. Nearly 10 per cent of affected parents said it was a financial strain and three per cent resented their child for continuing to live at home. More than 30 per cent of parents allowed their children to stay at home so they could save towards a goal. Reasons cited by other parents included: closeness to family (17 per cent), convenience of location (eight per cent) and cultural tradition (seven per cent).
In 2022, 1 in 6 US kids from 18-24 were neither in school nor working and half of US households supporting an adult child. In 2018, a US couple took their adult child to court because he refused to move out.
In the EU, they call these young adults "lost Millennials" or "NEETS" (not in education, employment or training). The age of this cohort is 15-29. NEETS include those not actively looking for work. It is estimated that 18% of the young adults in Italy are NEETs.
Unfortunately for many children aged 18 and over, moving out of home is not a financially viable option.