My dad hates vegans...help?

Question

so ive been vegan for awile and my dad has never liked it. my entire family thinks its dumb but my dad give me a really hard time about it. ive tried everything(i think) and every time we just end up really pissed at each other(more than we usually are) how can i deal with him?

thanks!=)

Answer 1

i also have a daughter who thinks shes is vegan and she is only 13. I eat whatever and  i dont bother her about it for what she is. Lets see how long this will last for her.

Just talk to him all the details why you are a vegan. And dont think you will change you dads habits.

Answer 2

Don't even pay attention to him. Tell him, "At least I take care of my body." Cause I think veganism is one of the healthiest ways to eat :]

Answer 3

Well, I'm sorry your dad doesn't like your choice to stop animal cruelty.  I agree with you.  What I would do, if I were you, is I would ask him (calmly) to talk to him in a bedroom just you and him.  I would then express why you are a vegan and what they are doing to the animals. Then, say "Dad, I don't like it when you are angry with me but I feel I need to be a vegan because I want to help stop the animal cruelty. I just ask that you would not be angry with my decision and you would just let me be a vegan. I would appreciate it if you would support my decision, though, even if you don't agree with it." If he tries to start any fights when you are expressing this to him tell him "I'm not finished. Please let me finish." Make sure during your talk that you keep your voice at a calm level, because shouting never solves anything. Be very polite and talk to him nicely. He may not listen but at least you tried.

I must tell you that standing alone is one of the hardest things to do but they are also the strongest ones. maybe enlightening your family on why you're a vegan might help. :) Good luck.

Answer 4

the reason why he and the rest of your family doesnt like it is because its not healthy at all. they just care about u and want to make sure u are healthy.  i have no problems with vegan but it is very dangerous. there are ppl  that die because of lack of nutrion.  so if i were you id maybe eat/drink alil bit of meat JUST 2 b like see i am geting my nutrion and you dont have 2 eat it all the time just like every once in a while

Answer 5

Yes, well your father probably looks well past his age. Unhealthy-looking hair, wrinkles, and a dull complexion. His organs are struggling to do their work because he places in his stomach food that it does not immediately recognize. His colon is rotting with the decomposing carcasses of dead animals... and he probably goes to the bathroom once or twice a week and suffers from constipation... These, my dear, are the result of eating fleshfood, pasteurized cow pus and chicken periods. Your father has been brainwashed by the industries and there is not much you can do about it.

Answer 6

You are a minor living at home. your father is legally bound to take care if you the best way he knows how. If that includes you not being a vegan, then the law will always take his side.

If you won't change your mind despite what your guardian tells you, what makes you think he will change his mind about your beliefs. You may come to a compromise as a family, that's your issue, but you can't expect someone to change his mind about something while you are not willing to do the same yourself. I don't see the subject, your being a vegan,  as relevant. I see it as a family issue where two parties are clashing over something and not finding a common ground (so far).

As a parent of three minors myself, this would not be an issue at all. They are supposed to listen and do what I say and I am supposed to listen and allow them to make some decisions on their own as long as it is not detrimental to their health and overall physical, mental and emotional well being. You should settle this private issue as a family with both sides willing to listen. It should not be a "because they say on Yahoo..." or "because I said so..." type of discussion. You and your father are on the same side, not antagonists where one side will or should "win".

Answer 7

This is an arguement you're never going to win, so my advice to you is to stop arguing.  Ignore the remarks, and eventually they'll stop.

Answer 8

Try not to tangle with him over it.  Ignore his put-downs.  If he asks a serious question about it, explain your reasoning to him, but don't argue with him about it if you know he is just trying to be argumentative.  If one of his gripes is that he has to cook "special" meals for you, or that you expect something vegan prepared for you, you could demonstrate your responsibility (and that your choice doesn't have to affect your entire family) by cooking for yourself.  If they see that you aren't trying to be argumentative or rebellious, but rather trying to maturely make a life decision, they may be more accepting.  (Some parents think that a teenager's vegetarianism is just a "phase" or a sign of rebellion... disprove that it is and they'll be more accepting.)

Answer 9

I would say this, he's just probably concerned about your health, being your father. This is my assumption, because I'm not seeing the whole story (but that's usually the situation that occurs).

Try to tell him you've educated (hopefully you have!) yourself on all the standard pitfalls of the diet: protein (girls younger than 19 need about 46 grams per day from a variety of plant sources: grains/soy/legumes/beans/nuts), B12, iron, vitamin D, calcium, etc.

If he's concerned about you causing chaos in the kitchen (mom having to cook two different meals) or the purchasing of extra food for you to eat (it's getting more costly with the economy!). I'd offer these two options:

1. Cook your own meals, and maybe even cook a meal once a week for the whole family. I'm sure you're parents would appreciate it! If you're serious about being vegan, don't do it on your parents' TIME!

2. Offer to pay for your additional groceries that are outside the family's staples. If you get allowance money, use that. If you can work, get a job! If neither is an option, offer to do household tasks that aren't in your normal "kid" job description as payment for your parents' hard-earned money. If you're serious about being vegan, don't do it on your parents' DIME!

All of this will:

A. Make your dad realize you're serious about this.

B. Make him realize you've taken steps to help avoid causing THEM additional headaches (concerns about your health,  concerns about the time it will take to cook additional meals, and their money purchasing your speciality items).

Don't ever, ever lecture them or anyone else about eating meat. What you eat is a personal choice, don't ever push it on others. If they ask you about it, just ask, "Do you really want to know?" And offer them information about the diet if they are seriously interested.

Answer 10

The best advice I can give you is to try to talk it out with him. Explain to him why you feel that way. Tell him you don't want to change how he is and you respect his decisions, ask him to respect yours. Be calm and polite and don't try to shove your views down his throat.

Try to practice your vegan-ism in a non offensive manner. Don't tell your family that their dinner is disgusting and they shouldn't eat it, just quietly and privately eat yours and know you are making a difference. The  best way to influence people is to lead by example.

I'm a vegetarian (considering vegan) and I don't completly agree with the 'let others eat meat it's their choice' approach but I never try to force my views on people, leading by example is always the best. In your situation it's probably best not to try to change their minds at all, just stick to what you believe and  wait until you are in a different situation where you are more free to express yourself.

Good luck to you and I hope it all works out well. Stick to it, a vegan diet is a very healthy, cruelty free way to live.

Answer 11

you need meat to survive!! RAAAR STEAK RAARRR!!!! BLOOD!!! ANIMALSSS

Answer 12

Wow...this sounds exactly like my situation. Tell him that this is what you are and who you are and that there is nothing he can do to change it.

I hope it helps, and I'm really sorry. I know exactly how you feel.

Answer 13

That's funny.  My parents used to argue with me to get me to eat my veggies and your parents are trying to get you to stop.  I don't think your father has a problem with you not eating any meat as opposed to the political stance that vegans tend to lean towards.  Most of the people I've met who refer to themselves as vegan, as opposed to vegetarian, treat their diet almost as a religion.  They speak condescendingly to people who don't eat as they do and are always trying to draw new people into their "cult" by demeaning meat eaters (some of the other answers have already proven my point).  Another possible reason for his harshness may go back to caveman days.  "Me provider, bring meat home.  You no turn nose up."  Or he may not like the idea that his daughter is growing up and starting to make big decisions on her own.  Father's always want their little girls to be little girls forever.  They want to be her hero forever.  You're taking that away from him, what's more you're throwing it back in his face by challenging his own choices.  If you tell him you won't give him any sh_t about what he eats if he doesn't give you any sh_t about what you eat, things will probably get better.  You'll both still argue about other stuff, but it will make one thing go away.