Punishment Verses Discipline

Have you noticed that most children today are being raised with no regard for authority? Parents are not disciplining appropriately. Children with boundaries are more secure and loved. Why is this so difficult to comprehend for some parents? Permissiveness only leads to hardship and frustration in the long run.
I know of a family with an adult son. The adult son will soon turn 27 years old. The mother chooses to do his laundry, cook his meals, open his mail to insure prompt payment of any due bills. After totaling the family car a few years ago, this son never paid a cent towards repairs. No consequences. Today this young man is driving the new pre-owned family car to work. He never offers to pay for anything. This young man feels entitled. The mother has tried to set some boundaries, yet this young man's blatant disregard for positional authority is remarkable. He has threaten his own father and refuses to make attempts to move out. He has it all in his parent's home. All is free there. What could possibly encourage this young man to move forward in his life and show maturity and move out on his own. At the very least, pay his way. The father is clearly afraid of his son. Whenever the son request a financial advancement, the father obliges. Give, give, give is what these parent's have done.
When possible solutions have been offered to this mother, she  doesn't seem to have the heart to deny her son anything (or maybe she's afraid of some retaliation from him).Yet, she wants her son to show maturity, respect, consideration, integrity and honor.How is he going to learn positive age appropriate behavior, when the mother co depends him otherwise?.I believe authority and respect can be regained here. But the mother must be willing to take the necessary steps to regain authority in her home. A solemn commitment to achieve this is essential. I also believe that her inappropriate control has sabotaged her hearts desire for a more loving and honorable son. This family will remain in my prayers. I pray the mother finds the strength to implement tough love. Discipline is never too late to  learn if done because you love.