September 21, 2011
ROME (AFP) - After several failed attempts to convince their 41-year-old son to leave the nest, a Venetian couple have hired a lawyer in a last resort bid for domestic peace and quiet, Italian media reported Tuesday.
The parents, whose names were not published, were said to be exhausted by fending for their adult offspring, cooking his meals and doing his washing and ironing.
"We cannot do it anymore. My wife is suffering from stress and had to be hospitalised," said the father, who approached the legal department of a consumer association, ADICO, for help.
The son "has a good job but still lives at home. He demands that his clothes be washed and ironed and his meals prepared. He really has no intention of leaving."
Reports said the son also had aggressive tendencies.
ADICO lawyer Andrea Camp said a letter was sent to the son, advising him to leave the house within six days or face legal action.
If he refuses, lawyers will ask a court to issue a protection order to the parents against their son.
ADICO says hundreds of Italian families face similar difficulty getting rid of their adult children.
The latest couple turned to ADICO two weeks ago after hearing of a similar case in which the association had convinced a son to abandon the family cocoon -- after which his parents changed the locks.
