Watching the debate on Scottish Independence the other night it struck me that we see the same dilemma acted out in all families at a certain stage in their evolution. One day one of the kids comes to you and says they want to move out.
Why would anyone want to move away from the security of a fully paid environment, one where the washing gets done and the dishes cleared away as if by magic. Why would anyone wish to expose themselves to the strain of finding, probably sub standard accommodation for which they pay a very large proportion of their earnings just for the freedom of going your own way.
Parents often bend over backwards to ensure they don't step on toes, learn to bite their tongue when their own conventions are trashed. Confused yet trying to accept new norms of conduct, the rejection of conformity, a dress code that baffles and a host of issues that are not up for discussion.
One could equally ask the question why would anyone wish to sustain the situation but of course we do. The union to many is a measure of our maturity, of our history and to see it dissolve strikes at our self assurance. There is something of "better the devil you know" and a fear of the unknown, a fear of change, and also a suggestion that without us things will be better, which inherently  means you have in some way failed. 
The debate this time around went Alex Salmond way with his much more upbeat view of the future as Alistair Darling tried to dampen the Nationalism with practical reality.  What the electorate will make of it in the ballot box is the question but one should realise just as when the kids fly the nest adjustments are made and we carry on.
Hopefully a new relationships is forged, a better more rounded, richer understanding of each other is created and we all benefit.