For most men in their thirties, the idea of moving back in with their mother and trading a corporate career for household chores would be a nightmare. But for 34-year-old Luke Parkhurst, becoming a self-described 'stay-at-home son' has been the key to a simpler and more satisfying life.
From Six Figures to Household Chores
Just seven months ago, Luke was living a very different life in Houston, Texas. He was a successful salesman earning a substantial salary of $190,000 (£144,000). Despite the financial rewards, he felt profoundly unfulfilled, describing his former existence as a cycle of chasing 'instant gratification' in seedy bars and pursuing materialistic goals.
'I would catch myself going to bars in the middle of the day or all weekend and doing things I shouldn't do,' Luke told the Daily Mail. 'The only reason I was going out was to numb myself from reality.'
He made the radical decision to pack it all in and move back under his mother Patty's roof in Las Vegas. Now, his days are filled with a new routine: cleaning, folding laundry, sweeping floors, and cooking steak for them both most nights.
Redefining Masculinity and Modern Living
Luke's new life has drawn comparisons to the 'trad-wife' trend, but with a gender-swapped twist. His mother, an air hostess, is now the primary breadwinner, covering the bills, mortgage, and even footing the bill when Luke takes a girl on a date using her credit card.
This arrangement has led some to question his masculinity, a notion Luke strongly rejects. 'I'm the most masculine man out there,' he insists. 'Masculinity didn't used to be about providing for the household or paying the bills; it used to be about hunting and fishing and fixing things.'
He believes his lifestyle helps him filter out materialistic partners. 'I don't want someone who's wondering what my wall looks like or what car I drive,' he explained. While some women have found his situation a 'turn-off', Luke is confident he could return to a 'high-level' job if he wished.
A Wider Trend or a Personal Choice?
Luke's story stands in contrast to the growing number of young adults moving back home out of financial necessity. A recent study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) revealed that the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds living with their parents in the UK has risen from 13% to 18% between 2006 and 2024.
This means around 450,000 more young adults are now in the family home compared to 2006. Researchers noted this 'substantial increase' has been 'fuelled by increases in rents and house prices', with many using it as an opportunity to save.
However, Luke's move was a conscious choice, not a forced one. He had owned a home in Houston and left his lucrative career behind in a deliberate bid for happiness. He has since gone sober, lost weight, and reconnected with the outdoor activities he loved from his blue-collar upbringing in Utah.
For Luke, the trade-off has been more than worth it. 'I would rather live the life I have, not having money, than live the life I did with that type of income,' he stated. Now content being 'the best me', he has no plans to return to city life, proving that the path to fulfilment isn't always paved with a pay cheque.
