Sarah’s relationship with her parents becomes strained after they refuse to acknowledge her achievements and pay for her college education, which leads to a confrontation where she demands the same treatment as her brothers.
She Had Always Fought
Growing up in a household that believed in rigid gender roles, Sarah had always felt like she was fighting an uphill battle. “My parents believed that dad should work and mom should stay home with the kids,” Sarah had told her therapist. “Because of their expectations, they never valued my education or my achievements beyond domestic skills.”
She Wasn’t Allowed
Sarah was the only girl among her three brothers. “By the time I was in high school, my two older brothers had gone to the college of their choice, with my parents fully covering tuition, books, an off-campus apartment, and other living expenses,” Sarah had said. “They eventually did the same for my younger brother. But I was told that I wasn’t allowed to apply for college.”
She Did it in Secret
Despite her parents’ expectations, Sarah had applied to college in secret and had been accepted with a partial scholarship. “I didn’t tell them I was moving out until a week before I left,” Sarah had said. “I had essentially nothing but what a few friends gave me that their parents bought ‘them’ for college. I took engineering and had to work, take on debt, and struggle.”
Things Became Hard
As a result of her decision, Sarah’s relationship with her parents had become strained. “We’ve barely spoken for years,” Sarah had said. “But recently, they asked to meet up.”
Sarah had agreed to meet her parents at a park, but the conversation had not gone well. “They said they were ‘sorry if they caused me pain’ but would like a relationship now,” Sarah had said. “I asked them specifically what they were sorry for. They wouldn’t elaborate and just said they wanted to move forward. I said that wasn’t sufficient.”
She Was Frustrated
In a moment of frustration, Sarah had asked her parents to forward her the $100k that they had given her brothers for their college expenses. “My mom burst into tears, and my dad said I wasn’t being serious,” Sarah had said. “I just left.” Since then, Sarah had been getting calls from her brothers telling her that she was being immature and hurtful. “I don’t think so at all,” Sarah had said. “I just want my parents to acknowledge the hurt that they caused me and to make it right.”
She Took Therapy
Sarah had been working with her therapist to process her feelings and figure out how to move forward. “It’s been tough, but I’m starting to realize that I don’t need my parents’ approval to be happy,” she had said. “I can make my own choices and live my own life.” Despite the pushback from her brothers, Sarah had decided to stand firm in her decision. “I’m not going to apologize for standing up for myself,” she had said. “I deserve to be treated with respect and to have my achievements recognized.”
She Felt Grateful
Sarah had also found support from her husband and friends. “They’ve been there for me every step of the way,” she had said. “They’ve helped me see that I’m not alone and that I have people who love and support me.” Sarah had decided to take some time to focus on her pregnancy and her growing family. “I’m excited to start this new chapter in my life,” she had said. “And I’m determined to create a better future for my child, one where they’re valued for who they are, not just their gender.”
Straight to the Internet
Sarah had come a long way since her childhood, and she was proud of the person she had become. “I may have had a difficult upbringing, but I’m not defined by it,” she had said. “I’m defined by the choices I make and the person I choose to be.” With this in mind however, Sarah still felt like she needed answers to her situation, so sought advice from a popular internet forum to see if other agreed or disagreed with her decisions.
The Internet Responds
One person writes, “As far as I can see, your answer to them was perfect. It was very fair, and if they have fixed their appalling bigotry issues, they would be falling all over themselves begging you to take the money. Since they clearly have not fixed their bigotry, you don’t want them around your child. Never, ever poison children by allowing bigots in their presence. No exceptions. That includes your bigoted brothers.”
Further Responses
Another person puts, “They’re probably thinking that since OP is pregnant she’s finally ‘come to her senses, and will now do the proper thing.’ When she doesn’t, they’ll be appalled.”
A Final Response
A third person writes, “Cut them off for good. It sounds like you’re more successful without extra weight dragging you around.”
He Sold the Family Home for Three Times What He Paid for It, but Now His Siblings Are Demanding a Share of the Profit
A man bought his two siblings out of their share of the family home when their mother passed away. Now he’s sold the house for three times the amount he paid for it, and his siblings are demanding a cut.
This Groom Invited His Ex-Girlfriend To His Wedding, But When She Showed Up In Suspenders He Had His Regrets!
Recently, a couple decided to have a micro wedding with just their immediate family, around ten people. They chose a venue known for holding significant events, but they hired a smaller room there.
This Groom Invited His Ex-Girlfriend To His Wedding, But When She Showed Up In Suspenders He Had His Regrets!
He Was Blinded by Love, Until He Learned About His Romanian Wife’s True Motives
In a tale fraught with deception and vengeance, a man recently divulged his experience of unmasking his Romanian wife’s infidelity and orchestrating a chain of events that ultimately led to the revocation of her Greencard, laying bare her hidden agenda.
He Was Blinded by Love, Until He Learned About His Romanian Wife’s True Motives