What Is a Trad Son? Meet the Young Men Choosing to Stay At Home and Live Rent-Free — While Their Parents Cover the Costs

The Rise of the Trad Son: A Growing Trend Among Young Men

In 2025, a new cultural phenomenon known as the “trad son” has been making waves on social media platforms. This trend involves young men in their 20s and 30s choosing to live with their parents, often rent-free, and taking on domestic responsibilities typically associated with stay-at-home partners. One prominent example of a trad son is Luke Parkhurst from Las Vegas, who left his high-paying sales job to move back in with his mother, Patty. While Patty works as a flight attendant, Luke manages household chores such as grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning, describing it as his “dream job.” This lifestyle challenges traditional notions of adulthood and financial independence.

The term “trad son” emerged on social media to describe young men who live at home with their parents without working full-time or contributing financially, while embracing a domestic lifestyle. This trend has gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, where videos and memes either celebrate or poke fun at the lifestyle. Brendan Liaw, who appeared on Jeopardy! in May 2025, brought the trend into the national spotlight. Although initially labelled as a “stay-at-home son,” he later clarified that he was enrolled in law school and did not see himself as permanently associated with unemployment.

Supporters of the trad son trend argue that it challenges outdated gender norms, while critics question its implications for personal growth. Fox News’ Laura Ingraham referred to trad sons as “men in decline,” highlighting insecurities and instability among young adults today. Family therapist Kathryn Smerling noted that for some, living at home provides a sense of security and comfort in a tumultuous world. The movement marks a shift in how young men navigate professional and personal aspirations in contemporary society.

The concept of trad sons is related to the “tradwife” trend, which celebrates women embracing domestic roles. Tradwives often stay at home to manage household duties and support a working husband. In contrast, trad sons focus on domestic tasks within their family homes without the responsibilities of supporting a partner. This distinction underscores the evolving dynamics of gender roles and expectations in modern society.

Several men have gained attention for embracing the trad son lifestyle, including Luke Parkhurst and Abdullah Abbasi. Parkhurst, after leaving a high-pressure sales job, returned home to focus on cooking, cleaning, and managing the household. Abdullah Abbasi from Chicago has turned his trad son lifestyle into a business with his clothing line, Stay At Home Sons. Despite the potential impact on their dating lives, these men find fulfillment and luxury in their chosen lifestyles, challenging conventional notions of success and independence.

The trad son trend reflects a broader shift in how young adults navigate adulthood, work, and family life in today’s society. By choosing to prioritise comfort, convenience, and domestic responsibilities over traditional career paths, trad sons are reshaping societal expectations and definitions of success. As the trend continues to gain momentum online, it prompts discussions around masculinity, independence, and personal fulfilment in an ever-changing world.