You condemn living with less while, in the same comment, describe exactly the kind of opportunity that it affords. Nobody with a full house, a 60" TV, and two cars in the garage could ever "[move] around to various cities Canada and US every 4 to 8 months or so going to school and working on internships." Maybe five years was too long for you, or maybe this wasn't your cup of tea, but it's an opportunity. It's a life-defining experience that you can only accomplish with a light-weight, minimal lifestyle. The case for minimalism, at least for me, is made almost exclusively in the opportunities it affords you. It's about trading certain comforts for life experiences.
That said, I am absolutely willing to admit that it is probably not for everybody and it is hardly going to be worth doing your entire life. But how many people don't even think to consider it? What opportunities are they losing out on?
It doesn't blow. The stimulation and knowledge you get (about yourself and about others) you get from new places and cultures (and not just dropping by for a visit, but actually living and working there) is fantastic. Of course, it gets old and you'll want to settle down, but at least you have those experiences under your belt.
Looks like parent's desired opportunities crystallised when he finally was able to settle down and escape forced minimalism and job jumping.
He didn't like it (for good reasons he explained) and it's like you are telling him "cancer opened your eyes to the importance of human relationships so it was an opportunity, see ?".
That said, I am absolutely willing to admit that it is probably not for everybody and it is hardly going to be worth doing your entire life. But how many people don't even think to consider it? What opportunities are they losing out on?