Italian parents fight to evict son

The Italian practice of having your children stay at home long into adulthood is facing scrutiny in the courts.

A Venetian couple has retained the services of a lawyer in a bid to force their 41-year-old son to leave home.

The couple, who have not been named, told local media they were “exhausted” by caring for their adult child. They currently cook for him as well as doing his washing and ironing.

"We cannot do it anymore. My wife is suffering from stress and had to be hospitalized," said the father.

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."

Lawyer for the couple, 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 does not leave, the parents can apply for a “protective order” against the son, who is reported to have an aggressive streak.

In 2002, an Italian court decided that adult children – or “mummies’ boys” – could live off their parents indefinitely.