That the kids that stay dependant make the choice to stay dependant. I had not thought in exactly those terms but now I've said it I completely agree. My reason? When you're raised in a way where there are expectations that you will have to provide for yourself you do just that. What our generation has done so well is create kids who don't have a concept of what it's like to HAVE to manage your own life.
My husband has children who continue to live at home with his ex wife. They are 25 and 23, both male and both have been out on their own but not forced to be self-sufficient. They have been raised with the idea that someone will look after them so they have no higher standards and in fact the youngest has seriously considered obtaining a lawyer to get child support from his father reinstated. He is potentially entitled due to the fact that he isn't self sufficient and is under the age of 25. He has not done this yet but he and his mom have been talking about it. Of course that isn't what I'm here about but I just find it amazing that 2 adults can be so misguided and I KNOW they are not the only people around with the entitlement syndrome.
I keep thinking how incredible it is that adult children seem to think they are owed a place to live and I guess I understand the reason they feel this way is because we, our generation, have given so much to them how could they anticipate it would be any different.
When I grew up the thing I wanted more than anything was to be independant. That was the goal of all my friends and it is what we knew would happen. There was no question about whether or not we would do this, it just was. Our kids, on the other hand, believe that as long as they don't take care of themselves we should have to. We have done such a disservice to them! We should all be wealthy because if something happens to us we have a generation who not only doesn't know how to take care of themselves but also will be homeless. What a shame. Really, shame on us for not doing better! We did owe our kids better than we gave them if this is all they can do, come home to mommy and daddy and let them pay the way.
