My ex-husband went to a commuter college, got his bachelor's degree, was working as an accountant in a stable job with enough money to move out but he was VERY comfortable at home. His mom waited on him hand and foot. He had NO financial or household responsibilities. He spent his money however he wanted and had no clue how to live on his own. THIS is the type of thing I'm talking about in my post. He had no motivation to move out because he had it way too easy. When we got married, he had never paid a bill, never washed a dish, cooked a meal or done laundry. He was completely useless at life. He hated that we had a budget because he was used to spending whatever he wanted on anything he wanted and we had a mortgage and soon after, a baby with day care expenses, clothes, diapers, formula, etc. It very well may have been the ultimate demise of our marriage. He'll make a better husband now that he's been completely on his own for ten years. I had to teach him how to cook so I could leave him.. pathetic!
I moved back home for two months until I got my first "real" job after college. During that time, I helped with household chores, cooked dinner every night (mom and dad were working, I wasn't, it made sense), did almost all the housework and studied for my registration exam (which I had to pass to be able to work). As soon as I started that first stable job, I moved out.
I know your situation epchick and you haven't been out of school all that long either. We are definitely in a tough economy right now but the article said the phenomena started before the economy tanked too. I also know you do a lot around the house, got signed up to substitute teach, etc. You weren't just mooching off of them.
I do think there are circumstances where I'd push my kids out of the nest and make them "sink or swim". If they sank too low, I'd probably help out but I think that personally, I'd be more likely to help pay the rent than have them live with me
Or, if they do live with me, they will earn their keep by doing the housework, yard work, etc. They will ALWAYS have responsibilities. They have them already now and they continue to increase as they get older and can handle more.