Is money, rather than cultural tradition, the real hurdle keeping Italians from independence and making babies?

No, Mama Dearest, it's called enabling...

You cook for them, clean for them, wash for them, shop for them. They are not twelve. They are physically, mentally, and financially able to go out on their own. They are just not emotionally able to do it. And when you finally get the brains to kick them out on their ass, who's going to want them? You can complain all you want that they don't leave. But when you continue to cook for them, clean for them, wash for them, shop for them...

Duh.