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This is also a common practice in Third World countries.

It used to be a common practice in the US. Several generations living under the same roof was the norm not the exception. That is why houses used to be so big. Think the Waltons except that there should have been a couple of aunts and uncles and their kids to make the picture complete.

It's one thing for a family to stay together out of a sense of family and everyone is contributing, and the younger generations taking care of the elders. These people are nothing but perpetual children full of excuses why they aren't taking care of themselves.

"I think it's great, and really important, to take time to date and travel and hang out with your friends," said Elisabeth Levy, 28, a catering sales manager at a private club in Midtown Manhattan. "This way, when you do finally settle down, you're really ready, and you don't wake up at 33, married with two kids and a house, and trapped, like `How did this happen?' and `What did I do with my life?' "

What did you do with your life? How about lived it in some fashion other than a self-indulgent brat who just wants to "hang out with friends"?

never earning enough to settle down, marry and raise a child.

Gee, I didn't know marriage had an income requirement.

If either of my kids for whatever reason needed to keep living at home after college, they'll be paying rent.

Yeah, I completely missed that aspect of our culture. More coffee!

But perhaps I could suggest that it was before we became the predominant super power. We weren't really recognized as such until WWII, were we? (I mean, everyone knew we kicked butt, but we proved it beyond a doubt by then.)

I think really, I was more inclined to agree that the practice is more common in a society where it is exceedingly more difficult to establish an economic foothold. In a society where punitive taxation, outrageous housing costs and open hostility towards success is nutured, it may become the norm.