Parents...

Hey everyone, Im 14, and Ive been a veg for 2 years.

My parents started out very supportively, and that support has withered to encouragement to eat meat again. They claim that my vegetarianism has become a "personal test of endurance", which is utter bullshit.
I was a verry fat little kid, and Ive lost quite a bit of weight since, and Im down to a perfect BMI, healthy weight. My parents claim Im too thin.

I value my diet, because it makes my body and mind feel clear and strong. I havent been sick in a verry long time. How do I deal with my incessantly unfacilitating parents?

 

You may have to eat of the meat now and then to accomodate them. I had to. But you won't live with them forever, and you can eat healthily while eating meat. From my research, a pescovegetarian (fish as the only meat) is the healthiest of all of the diets. Others may disagree, but this is my research. Just don't eat too much meat. A bit the size of a deck of playing cards is one serving, and an active person only needs 3-4 (Am I correct here?) servings of protien daily.

And BMI and weight charts are not the best measurement of health. I am 5'1" tall. By the charts, I should be about 110 lbs. I was this when I was 14. I am extremely wide-shouldered for a female, and am DD with matching hips. These are natural curves, and they have a weight. So my healthy weight is closer to 130-140 lbs. Granted, I am nicely past that, but I'm working on it.

 

fuck that

do whatever you want

 

You should make your parents realize they may be wrong about you. I mean, to make them realize you are very healthy. Maybe talking to a doctor could help, which would mean them realizing that you're a healthy weight, that your body doesn't lack any nutrients, that your blood tests are fine... You could also try doing some cooking if you don't already, and prepare for them some really delicious, healthy, nutritious vegetarian dishes. Not to convert them to vegetarianism, but to make them see how good those can be and to accept your decision, and not to make you go back to eating meat if you don't want to.

 

If you're able, I would sit down with them and explain why you feel the way you do.

Don't preach, or say it's wrong to eat animals, or even try and convince them of anything.

Just calmly, without getting upset or accusing them of anything, tell them that you don't have any desire to eat meat, that your body is healthier, and that you feel better not eating meat. Of course most parents won't object to their children's happiness.

The key is to stay calm and not get into a right/wrong argument, or accuse them of being wrong, etc. ONLY say how YOU feel. That way there is nothing to argue about.

Try to have compassion for their point of view too- most parents instinctively feel better when their children have a little extra body fat; it's a primitive instinctual indication that their children's needs are being met and that they could survive without food for a little while if need be.

 

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Now I gotta prove to them that a foot-and-a-half of hair is okay for a guy to have! hahaha

 

This is rubbish...sorry to be blunt, but every human being who is capable of thinking this through clearly and sensibly has the right to put whatever they want into their bodies, thats their decision and a basic human right. If your parents disagree that much then this may mean raising a bit of money yourself, cooking yourself (which you should do at least once in a while anyway if you dont already for many reasons) etc, but by no means should you accept that you must eat what they tell you to, not at your age

It sounds like they may be supportive again if you explain to them? Aslong as you really are eating enough of the good stuff and are healthy of course. It doesnt sound like at the moment theyre trying to force you to eat meat, so you have a good chance of making them come round with reason and displaying your maturity and responsibility with food

The bottom line is only do what you want to do. If you weigh it up nd want to eat meat again then fine, but dont succumb to pressure. Its possible, I went veg at 13 and have been since

Just make sure you really are getting all you need and not eating junk and youll be good. But then the same goes for someone who eats meat. So yeah...its really not a huge deal

 

If the child is providing and cooking his own food, I suppose that would be different in most cases. Unfortunately, and legally speaking, if the person in under the age of eighteen his parents do have the right to make this and other very personal choices for the child, from diet to religion to sexual preference. If the parents so desire, they can require the child to eat meat. I don't understand why they would do this if the child is preparing his own food, and I don't say that this is right, but some will and legally they can. Pursuing the matter could in some cases cause a divide in the family, which, well, pursuing that would be a matter to be decided only between the child and his family. For myself, I would (and did) choose to maintain family unity until I was eighteen, or providing my own food if that could be an acceptable compromise. But these parents seem concerned with the child's percieved health, so I don't know if the food provision is the issue.

By all means, take them to talk to a doctor with you. Maybe research and scientific arguments will persuade them. My mother still isn't.

 

Stick to your guns kiddo. Don't fight with your parents about it. Just go your own way peacefully. You're on the right track.

 

I've gotta agree with most of what's been said. You're still living with your parents, and they MUST have your best interests at heart - it's their job, so to speak. Showing them that you ARE healthy, ARE getting enough protein, calories, or whatever else they're worried about & offering to help out at mealtimes are probably your best bets.

As for the hair - check out the link in drumminmama's siggy. I happen to think that long hair is pretty darn cool too Mine's at 44.5" right now & growing... and my husband is nearing mid-back, while my 13yo son's is at 4" past the shoulder right now.
love,
mom