Would you consider being a vegetarian shameful?

Question

My family does not support me being a vegetarian. They have unsuccessfully tried to get me to cheat/give it up and go back to meat. It's something I believe in, but they constantly put me down for it.. no matter how many times I stand up for myself and animal rights. I just want to know other people's views, do you support it or are you against it?

Answer 1

I am a vegetarian at ive been one for 3years. people use to put me down but now they respect me and understand why i have turned being vegetarian. i thought the never come round but they did. they have to respect your choise and why you choose to turn. many people are vegeterians and everyones diffrent. you go for being a vegeterian if its what you go for

Answer 2

I don't think it's shameful at all. Sheesh, what's wrong with doing something that you believe in? I guess, however, that a lot of people face this problem when their values part ways from the values of their immediate communities. People get c**p for converting to another religion, for supporting a different political party, for becoming an enthusiastic recycler... you name it.

That being said, do they really put you down (that is, say unkind things to you) because of your vegetarianism, or do they simply try to talk/trick you out of it?

Putting you down is a form of emotional abuse. If they're calling you a loser, for example, that's seriously messed up and you all need help. (As in family counseling... it isn't about your vegetarianism, it's about a bad dynamic and communication.) If this is the case, you should ask them politely and firmly to stop teasing you. Tell them that you are serious about your decision and that you want them to respect it, even if they don't agree with it. If they're trying to be funny (it happens, you try to laugh at stuff you don't understand), they should drop it. If they're actually trying to hurt your feelings, it's time to talk to someone other than yahoo!answers for advice.

If they're just trying to get you to change back, that's less of a big deal. It isn't intended to be destructive or hurtful to you. I would guess that your family as a whole has one or two main concerns. Either they are worried about your health (which, *sigh*, is annoying, but understandable) or they are worried that you are rejecting their values/beliefs. For the first one, you'll just need to pull out your books, again, and show them that yes, you can get all of the nutrients you need. Agree to take a supplement, or go to a nutritionist, if that's what it takes.

For the second one: keep in mind that food is one of the main ways that we as humans show love, affection, and caring. Remember how Grandma always used to make cookies? Maybe when you were sick, Mom gave you chicken noodle soup. At the holidays, most families have a traditional dinner that they make (or at least a few central dishes) every year. These foods can even extend to religious customs. In short, by rejecting their food, families might think that you are rejecting their love.

That being said, how do you get them to stop trying to talk you out of it or tricking you?

If you find out the reasons that they don't want you to be a vegetarian, you can probably have a good conversation (or ten) to quell their anxieties. Calmly explain that you still love them, that you won't fade away, etc. Maybe hop into the kitchen with mom sometime and make a meal for the whole family. If you can swing it, make the whole thing vegetarian. Otherwise, make a portion for yourself that is non-vegetarian... eggplant parmigiana for you and chicken parmigiana for them. You can share the salad and garlic bread. And everyone's happy. If it's nutrition that worries them, sit down with mom or dad (or both) and consider making a weekly menu for yourself and the family. A family project is always good. Figure out what the RDA's for everyone are with the basics: protein, fats, carbs, fiber, etc. Work on making menus for both the meat-eaters and you, the veggie. Go shopping together and cook together. If mom and dad see that you're diligent, they're less likely to freak out. But have the doctor's card ready just in case.

That being said, if mom *still* tries to slip you meat, or "forgets" that you don't eat chicken broth, you might need to go gloves off. First, remind her. Remind her at least three times. Politely, of course. "Mom, I don't eat (insert offensive food here). I know that it's hard to get used to, but please don't serve me foods that have (food) in them. Thanks!" Offer to help her cook dinner to make sure that nothing you don't want goes in. Offer to cook your own food (a good habit anyway). If you STILL find out that she's slipping you stuff, stop eating her food. Start cooking for yourself. If she asks why, say something to the effect of, "Mom, I'm just not comfortable eating what you serve me because I can't be sure that there isn't any meat in it. I'd rather just cook for myself." In short, you're saying, "I don't trust you and I think you're trying to sneak me stuff that I've told you I don't want" in a far more tactful way.

Answer 3

I would consider it unhealthy. We need meat to keep our bodies going. Also animals have no rights.

Answer 4

I am neither supportive nor against it. It is something that people (should) do on their own. Kids, especially minors living at home, will have a problem as they are technically obliged to do what their parents tell them to do as long as it is not illegal. If their parents are against it, the options are pretty limited. There is no law that states parents should or need to support everything their children want to do. Especially something that they think might be dangerous.

Adults can do whatever they want within reason and as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others.

Answer 5

There is nothing shameful in being a vegetarian at all. People are just a little scared of what they do not understand and for many years the beef industry has brainwashed the general public into thinking that meat is good for you. If you carefully check out our physical make up, we are not really designed to eat much meat at all. Your family is probably testing your feelings on the matter and do not believe that you are serious. Have a discussion about it with your mother and try out some different vegetarian recipes together.There are some wonderful dishes out there today and vegetarians are no longer restricted to "rabbit food".

Answer 6

When my family first heard that i was a vegetarian they were in shock for a little while because I eat meat all the time but its sad what animals go through. But my family got used to now ive been a vegetairian for 3 1/2 year              so easy

Answer 7

I know what you mean, people put me down for it all the time.  Especially my family.  But it is not shameful at all, they are just making you feel that way.  Don't let them, you are doing a wonderfull thing for the animals :)

Answer 8

maybe you should practice it secretly until you reach age 18 and then you can do whatever you want.  You can't change their views on it, but you can change the way you react to their views. They don't seem like very open and very supportive people.

Answer 9

Standing up for your beliefs is admirable.

Going with the flow, conforming, chiming in with the crowd, allowing yourself to be brainwashed, mocking those who are brave enough to take a step away from the norm... this is shameful.

Answer 10

It is just what u believe in only

Answer 11

I'm sorry to hear that. And its defiantly not shameful. I felt the same at first when no one supported me when I first started it. So just keep establishing yourself to your family as a vegetarian, after my first month of it, my family finally accepted it. Oh and don't give in to your families atempts.

Answer 12

I personally don't agree with vegetarianism, but I don't think I have the right to dictate what other people eat. If you really want to do this, you have two choices. Move out and avoid your family for a while, they'll likely get the hint if you walk out on them every time they give you a hard time. Or you can sit them down and tell them that it really hurts that they can't accept your personal preferences and that you wish they would allow you to decide your diet for yourself.

Now, just to make sure, you're not always trying to convert them to vegetarianism are you? Because if you are, you should stop instantly. You have no right to change them, just like they have no right to change you. So if there's a mutual lack of acceptance, you make the first move for understanding and hopefully they'll follow your example.

If you're just trying to eat different from them, just remind them you do have that right to choose and to please allow you to do so.

Good luck.

Answer 13

I too am being persecuted for this very belief. I am a vegetarian too and people are constantly trying to force me to eat meat. Today my parents and their friends all got together and physically held me down against my will and tried to force me to eat sausage. Imagine how horrible that was. Meatlovers are all terrible people. I need to know when these poor misguided and unfortuante people will just leave me alone to believe what I want and stop trying to force their beliefs on me. I really feel for you and hope that someday everyone will come to their senses and understand that eating meat is just not right. Good luck and stand up for your rights.  

Answer 14

Do what you want...It isn't hurting anyone, tell your family to stop and just tolerate your decision.  Become a Vegetarian for the right reasons.

Answer 15

It is one theory that most people who are meat eaters aren't heartless are daft, they are simply deftly afraid of being wrong, so afraid that they are willing to ignore what they know is valid evidence and cogent arguments, to stay a meat eater.

If you're family doesn't support a decision as noble and laudable as abstaining from a system we probably won't be able to beat, then it is not them who should be ashamed of you, but possibly the other way around. The truth is to truly understand vegetarianism, you must be be a vegetarian.

In short, never be ashamed of your beliefs. If you are, you should change them, but it doesn't sound like you are ashamed of your beliefs, it sound's like your parents do, and that's their problem, not yours.

Answer 16

No, I consider knowing that sentient creatures suffer for your food and eating it anyway shameful.

Stay strong and your family will eventually clue in and give up trying to change your mind.

Answer 17

no, just stupid.