I think the last sentence is poorly phrased.

The idea seems to be that overprotective parenting of children isn't harmful if those children continue to live with their parents as they enter adulthood, since their parents will be able to help them as they adjust. (Supposedly this happens in Italy.)

Likewise, having children move out when they become adults isn't harmful if those children have grown up with the ability to live independently. (Supposedly this happens in Germany.)

The problem comes when you combine overprotective parenting with the norm that children should move out at a relatively young age. This leaves young adults both unprepared and on their own when they leave. (Supposedly this happens in the US.)

> if those children continue to live with their parents as they enter adulthood, since their parents will be able to help them as they adjust. (Supposedly this happens in Italy.)

I lived in Italy for a while and yes this does happen. Kids often continue to live with their parents well into their 30s. But this is mostly due to a shortage of new housing.

> Kids often continue to live with their parents well into their 30s. But this is mostly due to a shortage of new housing.

That just seems really awkward. By their 30s people are often having kids of their own! Does italy have something like love hotels for teens and young adults who don't want to make out with their parents in the next room?

I don't think Italians are that squeamish about sex. They would have sex and then join the family for breakfast.

Living in Europe this concept always seemed strange to me. I'm Polish and here it's normal to have couples living together while the parents are in the same house and even having sex together while parents are in the same house. There's no need to "hide" from the parents, you just ask them not to be disturbed for the next hour or two.

Well, Italian’s are not currently known for being independent adults very early either. Unemployment is insanely high for young adults too, and has been for a long time. Somewhere around 25-30% depending on how you slice ages. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1097938/unemployment-rat...

Living at home is different from being babysat all the time, or from the quote "American parents are more overprotective". You can live in the same house and have way more independence growing up depending on parenting styles. I'm not sure how true or not any of this is, but depends if for example kids are more likely to play in the street without an adult supervising, going to the beach also without adult supervising, etc.

It's common in most of the world for families to have multi-generation households.

The article probably refers to Italy as one country where it's commonplace, meaning the progress into adulthood includes gaining your independence while staying in the familial house.