What's the deal with my mom and me being a vegetarian?

Question

I'm a 15 year old guy. I've been a vegetarian for a year and my mom has been pissed the whole time. She says I'm crazy. She said there is something psychologically wrong with me. Then she was like anybody who doesn't eat meat because they don't want to hurt animals has an eating disorder. I did a ton of research to make sure I grow and even my doctor said I'm growing okay. I even told my mom some male celebrities that have been vegetarians since they were kids and she just shook her head. I'm suppose to start taking Accutane for my acne on Monday but she said she won't fill the prescription unless I eat meat. I don't know what to do? Why is she being like this?

Answer 1

My family is the same way. I think it is just how they were brought up. It is definitely your choice stick with it. It's not a bad choice by any means as long as you substitute you proteins else where; which it seems like you have researched being a vegetarian already. Good luck to you :) Maybe your mom will come around and respect your choice.

Answer 2

yeah, i have been a vegetarian for a while now too, and my mom always teases my about it, but nothing like your mom, just tell it that you have a right to personal choice, and this is one of them. dont be rude, you could say to her that parents could get in trouble if they dont fill their kids perscriptions. im not sure if they can, but it might catch her. im 17 and ive had to deal with my mom being like that many of times. she might just be like this because she wants control over you. just tell her she cant have it. i hope i helped in some way.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear about this. I had the very same experience with my mother and father when I was your age. I started pushing to become vegetarian when I was 12, but it wasn't until I was 14 that I stopped eating meat completely. Though it was not because they agreed with me--they still don't! My reasoning was/is the same as yours.

My parents weren't just unsupportive but quite nasty about it. I think when you start developing your own values/morals/ethics apart from what your family holds--that's really threatening and frightening to them. I'm sure my parents thought it was a "phase" and that I would grow out of it. Well, it's 18 years later and I'm still having a "phase"--along with my husband and 3 year-old son! Trust me, they still don't like it and had plenty to complain about when my son was born. But it was short-lived. My son is the picture of health and no one can say a vegetarian diet is harmful--not even my parents!

As for the Accutane, I also have some unsolicited information. Accutane is in gelatin capsules. I don't know your parameters for being vegetarian, but I thought I'd let you know just in case this wouldn't be okay with you. Additionally, it's horrible for your mother to hold the prescription over your head like that. Can't you fill it yourself? Or do you have to cash pay for it? Also, have you taken other medications in the past? Accutane is really a last resort medication, but it does have amazing results. I have taken it myself and have lived with acne since I was 10 years-old. If yours is severe, I would imagine it does cause some sad feelings--it did for me. I guess you need to balance out what's worthwhile to you. I generally don't have gelatin--accutane was the exception for me since it wasn't something I could get any other way. And the side effects are gruesome and brutal--but if you can make it through a course the results are totally worth it! It was the only thing that has ever helped my acne, and the results lasted many years. But it is something I would only recommend as a last resort--it's pretty hardcore medication.

I hope you are able to make some peace with your mother, however that comes about. I would hope she would come around and be more reasonable, but there is the possibility she will remain ridiculous about it as my family as. Just be prepared for that possibility. If you are serious and dedicated to being a vegetarian you will hold strong in your beliefs. It's not easy taking such scorn from the people who should love and support you--just be true to yourself. It's always amazed me that amount of anger generated in some people when they find out a person is a vegetarian because they care about animals. Like our choice is somehow damaging to anyone or anything?? It just puts them on the defensive immediately--perhaps because it's hard to justify such inhumane treatment of animals. Good luck and best wishes to you!

Answer 4

And she thinks you're the crazy one?  She's being manipulative and immature.

If you've researched a healthy vegetarian diet and your doctor confirms that you're healthy, I can't quite figure out what her problem is.  Have you explained to her why it's important to you?  Asked her what her objections are (so that you can answer her exact concerns?)  If she'll bother to read up on it, see if she'll read "The New Becoming Vegetarian" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina.  Maybe the word of two registered dietitians will convince her that it's not an eating disorder...

Answer 5

dont worry about it. i only eat the grass that i mow. i feel like a cow when i graze in the front yard. my dad likes it. he doesn't have to mow anymore

Answer 6

the reason most meat eaters eat meat is for an eay way to get all the amino acids they need. its easier to eat a peice of chicken that to figure out which veggies it takes to combine to get all of them. tell her that you're getting the exact same amount of everything you need with peanut butter, beans, corn, bread, and pea soup. i know its weird but if you combin any two of those you're getting all the amino acids you need. thats what i told my mom and she got off my back

Answer 7

I can understand how she feels because she didn't you to be a "vege-

tarian". She's you mom & at this point in time you are still in her house

under her wing until you turn 18yrs of age. She raised you on meat & taters not just tater alone. The Good Lord put certain animals here on the earth for us to eat for a reason & He says we are allowed to eat these certain animals. People will always eat animals. It's in our nature

to eating just like vegetables, fruits, bread, juice, & water.

Answer 8

she;s the crazy one. its your life. as long as it won't kill you(it won't)

i mean its your choice good for you if you want to save some animals.

just make sure you get enough protien

Answer 9

she thinks ur a q***r

Answer 10

Well its actually your mom that is crazy for eating meat and putting all those hormones and c**p into her body. I dont understand why she thinks this is something bad for you! Being vegetarian is one of the healthiest things to do. You should have a say in what goes into your body, even though you are 15. Its not an eating disorder its a choice. I wasnt aware that having compassion for things that have a mind, beating heart, and personality was a psychological problem.....Have her explore the videos on PETA tv and see if she changes her mind....Dont give in its your choice not your moms, she is just trying to find something to complain about.    

Answer 11

get other non prescription acne medication. your moms being weird lol. maybe she is worried about you. tell her its your life and you dont have to eat meat if its against your morals.

Answer 12

na i got that too man i have to make my own food i dont lik to eat what my family eats... i like chicken thou i just dont lik meat i kinda vomite when i see it any ways just make ur own food its fun and u feel good when ur wating ur own food ^^

Answer 13

It just sounds like she thinks it is weird and is not open to any other way of life but her own.

You need you tell her plainly that you don't like meat and it's a rational decision. If she doesn't listen to you I don't think you should even pay attention to it.

About the Accutane for acne, I would talk to another responsible adult for help.

Answer 14

That is completely absurd.  Not eating meat is your decision and you shouldn't let her sway you.  I didn't eat meat for about a year when I was a teenager and my parents respected my decision, but I do eat meat now.  As long as you are taking proper care of yourself and getting all of your vitamins and minerals I don't see why she would have a problem.  Try to talk to another relative - dad, aunt, uncle, sibling, grandparent or even one of your friends parents and see if they will talk to your mom.  It is wrong that she is taking away something that is good for you and that you need for not eating meat.  That is completely ridiculous. Try to find someone to talk to her. But stand up for what you believe in, and if you feel it is wrong to eat meat then by all means don't eat it.  Stand for something or fall for anything.

Answer 15

Hey I'm 16 and have been a veggie since I was 11, I've had no problems with my health or growth and have even converted 2 of my friends!

Have you showed her all your research? Because it would help her understand what your doing. also make sure you have meat substitutes like quorn or tofu so she knows your getting all the nutrients you need!

She just needs to know what you think, she could also think this is your way of rebelling, not something you believe in!

Good luck :)

x

Answer 16

you know your mom should accept you for who you are. i mean my mom does. just tell her that thats who you are in if she was your mom she should accept you as who you are, a vegetarian.

Answer 17

As a grandmother I am going out on a limb here and say your mother is wrong. If your doctor says your growing at the rate your suppose to it shouldn't matter what the reason is that you choose to be a vegetarian. If your mom won't fill your n ask your dad to intervine or look around in the drug store for an over the counter product you can buy yourself.