Why are people so afraid to tell their family they are going veg*?

Question

Back when I was a kid, the only friends who had issues with parents getting upset with them were my g*y & L*****n friends who were coming out to their parents. I'm sure that is still a difficult thing, but what I constantly see here on yahoo answers is how do I tell my parents I am a vegetarian?

I just saw a post that somebody said her family considers her to be living an "alternate" lifestyle because she's a vegetarian. I don't get it. Vegetarianism seems to be getting more and more mainstream, yet kids still are afraid of "coming out".

If you go into any decent local grocery store and you're going to find mock meats. If you go into any decent restaurant there will be vegetarian choices. Why do people feel ashamed to be vegetarian?

Maybe we need some sort of vegetarian pride symbol. I know I usually feel like I'm in the minority when I'm around my family... Maybe something like a walking/talking carrot or a stalk of celery...

Maybe I just need to go to bed...

Answer 1

lol....

Answer 2

most of the time there parents eat meat and they think that there parents will turn them down

Answer 3

That was me, with the strange parents. :.)

I guess since i'm from Louisiana, and everyone around here is pretty set in their ways. I'd actually never met another vegetarian until i met my boyfriend about a year ago. My grandparents think i'm going to die because i can't get any protein (and i try and try to explain... *sigh*), my parents are understanding but oh so very ignorant.... Honestly, it really was a bit like coming out of the closet (only on a MUCH smaller scale).

And i'm most certainly not ashamed, it's just frustrating. And as far as the "mock meats" in my grocery store, i had to request that the grocer stock tofu let alone any specialty type thing. I mean, we've got morning star and boca, but often i'd rather go without than eat that stuff. It's a lot different in the South....

Answer 4

What a great idea about the walking talking carrot.lol.

People aren't so much ashamed as worried about being mocked.

I find i have to daily justify my vegetarianism.

Its tiring and at times dang right rude of people,after all i wouldn't dream of doing that to meat eaters.

You know i think youngsters are scared to tell their parents because,they think the parents will react in a negative way,which happens all too often.

I'm a 40 year veteran veggie and I'm PROUD .lol

Answer 5

LOL.

I think we need a symbol as well. You're not alone on that one.

But to answer your question, I think that meat-eating is still considered the norm in a lot of places. Yes, veg*nism is gaining ground, but it is still something that few people really know about. I also think that people are afraid of what is foreign to them and that's why a parents' gut reaction is not always positive. The media has played a large role in stereotyping veg*ns as crazy hippies who don't wash.

I find it ironic that some parents will pay little attention when their son paints his nails black, their daughter wears a spiked dog collar, their son wears his pants below his bum or their daughter wears skimpy undies that show above her jeans...it's all dismissed as them "expressing themselves". But the minute those children want to stop eating meat, it's like the end of the world.

Call teenage crisis hotline!

You'd think that they'd be glad that their children have a moral compass and that they are passionate about a greater good that extends beyond them and their immediate world.

Answer 6

Your right. There is no reason to feel bad about being a vegetarian.

Answer 7

I like the walking/talking carrot idea. Someone has GOT to make that.

I think people are afraid that their parents will get angry, and tell them that their morons and refuse to comprehend why anyone would go against the "norm"

My mum just said "It better not last long". I lied and said "it won't" for about 3 months until she realised that I was serious when I turned down her offer of $5000 to eat meat again.

Answer 8

Based on my experience:

I am vegan coming from a family that is composed of 6 meat eaters with other house helpers who also eat meat. It's not really that I'm "afraid" to tell them, it's just that my parents lack understanding of veganism and I hate explaining myself alot.

But honestly, if people are not that ignorant, life as a vegan would be easier. Explaining to family and friends about the change of lifestyle is the most difficult part of this and their support or acceptance is what I aim for now.

Answer 9

Because as a vegan myself, I can tell you from first-hand experience that people constantly ridicule the c**p out of vegs.  They feel threatened by it for some reason.  And they are quick to "defend" themselves even though I have never attacked them.

Answer 10

yea it's sad...

i guess it's becuase you seek acceptance from your family first... they are your first line of support... and your worried you will lose their support... you'll be on your own....

Answer 11

yeah they should make a veg pride symbol! that would rock.