One of my favourite movies within recent memory was “Failure to Launch” with  Matthew Mcconaughey. In the movie he plays the role of a 35 year old male still living at home with his parents.  I think for those out of the house by their 19th birthday, they probably won’t share much affinity to the idea of growing old and at home, but for me having been home well into my 30’s, it resonates ever so clearly.

      For sometime I would look around and see others moving out and getting married and often wondered if I was the only one still at home.  Countless times I would beat myself up and thought there must have been something wrong with me.  Today though, my view on the topic isn’t so harsh.  Sure I’m not totally blameless, but part of the blame also lies with the times and how society has molded the mentality of the 20 to 30 something generation.

      I don’t know who or what in particular is to blame for making it seem acceptable to stay home,  especially when  most people think of it as embrassing and downright uncool.  What I do know is that a big reason for me to stay at home was because if I moved out,  I wouldn’t have the luxury and freedom to do as I pleased.  For instance, add a $200,000 mortgage, a wife and a few kids and there goes the freedom to buy that latest jacket, trendy watch or that new high def set.

     A friend of mine listening to a seminar heard it said  that the present generation can appropriately be named the “NOW” generation.  I think she was right on the money. Come to think of it, my fear of moving out was based on the fear of not having enough money at the end of the day buy things that tickled my fancy.  To 20 or 30 somethings,  hell isn’t the thought of living at home, but instead the thought of for instance seeing a new commericial of the latest Ipod and not being able to buy it. Since we have been conditioned to want things NOW, we will even stay home to ensure we get those things. Who ever said the media had no power over us?