Originally Posted by
rebel1916
He is entitled to do whatever he wants with his life. And I know many people who live a life cobbling together jobs, housing, and the like that lets them pursue other interests. Paddle bums, ski bums, thru hikers, musicians etc. etc. There is nothing wrong with being a bike bum. But the people I know all work, however minimally to support their endeavors. If your father has cancer, why not get a job, contribute to the household and not worry about your neighbors. In other words be a man. A man who lives at home at 30, but still a man.
You act like his post has informed you of his life story. It hasn't. He gave you a snippet of information, and you're drawing conclusions from it that aren't supported.
I know people with cancer that were bad fathers or bad friends before and after. Being ill doesn't make you immediately obligated to deserve anything, and there's no indication from the OP's post that his father isn't being cared for adequately. It's entirely possible that his father is self-sufficient, or cared for by his wife, or cared for by a rich uncle- we don't know!
Let me repeat that: We don't know. We don't know anything about this guy.
This is a bike touring forum, not Oprah. Take your judgements to some other place where drama and conjecture is more appropriate. Keep this conversation focused on budget bike touring and advice.