explaining veganist reasons to parents...?

Question

i've been vegetarian for the past 2 yrs, and this past semester made the hop to veganism...a little getting used to, but nothing outrageously terrible. mom backs me when it comes to animal testing, so that's good! (when my younger brother asked me if i wanted to clean animal cages at a research place, for $12 an hour, mom looked at him and said, "that would be like asking him to eat a hamburger...i couldn't do that, i couldn't watch little animals suffering...")

reminding my folks that/why i don't eat animal and their byproducts, (and what these no-eat lists contain--repeatedly) can sometimes be...annoying and tiresome...though they are remembering more, and are becoming more understanding of my choice :)

but i could do without the semi-rare sarcasm. i just want some decent things to respond with...other than reminding them i'm vegan, or what things i don't eat and why. but they're learning much about the foods i DO like, since i started cooking dinner occasionally!

Answer 1

I just became vegan a few months ago...I am 26, and married to a meat eater. My husband was really upset at first, but when I started to talk to him about why he was upset, I figured out it was because he was very insecure about eating something that was once alive. The more people I talked to, the more I found this to be true with the majority. People get very uncomfortable with things that make them question the way they live. I belive that most people don't like the idea of eating meat if they stop and think where it came from. I became Jewish when I was 16, and it was hard to explain to my parents about being kosher, and why I couldn't eat a lot of the things they made, and I started buying my own food, pots and pans, etc. Food is something that all humans can share together, and it sometimes makes families sad when they feel they can't enjoy that with someone who they love but won't eat the same things. I am a mom, so I can tell you that moms cook out of love, and sometimes moms feel if you don't eat their food, you are rejecting their love. I am happy that your mom is supportive of you. Just give your family time, and they will support you as well. You don't need to really explain anything to anyone. This is your life and your choice, and just remind people that you are not asking them to make the same choice; this is just who you are. I hope this helps!
All the best-
Rivka

Answer 2

I've been a vegetarian for 20 years and I was a vegan for several years (I gave it up voluntarily, 'cause I love smoked Gouda). My mom is with me...she became a vegetarian after I did. My dad on the other hand is a 100% 'meat & potatoes' guy. I still get some sarcastic remarks from him occasionally. I either just ignore it or, depending on the situation, say something about the dead animal flesh he is eating. I know it's hard, but hang in there...cooking yourself helps a lot (not COOKING yourself, but cooking FOR yourself). Good luck and know the animals appreciate it!!!

Answer 3

Congrats on going vegan, first of all, lol. I've been a vegetarian for a year and do eventually want to go vegan...I'm working on it! ;)

I can't really give you any specific advice though, since I havent done this yet. My mum was great when I went vegetarian. She's not one herself, but she is a healthy eater and if it wasn't for her hiding things like tofu in my pasta and stuff as I grew up, I would've probably found the transition harder.

For my dad, I had to be a lot more blunt and it was hard to convince him that this wasn't just a phase. I know I'm 17, but I was never one of those kids who went through different trends all the time. He still bugs me a bit about it sometimes ("you sure you don't want some??" when prodding a steak).

For trying to explain your choice to switch to no animal products at all, maybe remind them that cows don't just produce milk for humans, and that often their calves are killed or sold to slaughterhouses so even milk products result in cruelty? As for eggs, remind them of the conditions that egg-laying hens are kept in- the overcrowded cages, the filth...

Hope that helps a bit, lol.

Answer 4

i've been a vegetarian pretty much my whole life, and while my family's been pretty cool about it, with some occasional exceptions, i do get sarcasm and teasing from other people. my sister and i have had many arguments over eating meat, but i can't really argue with other people, since they are mostly adults who can't possibly fathom not eating meat, i try to just ignore it. i know that i have made the right decision and that's good enough for me no matter what other people think. however, i know it can be EXTREMELY frustrating when people tease you or question you about it. one of my friends in particular is pretty insensitive to my feelings about animal cruelty and eating meat. i'm afraid we'll just have to deal with it until we can live on our own and be around people with the same values as us or at least who respect our decision.

Answer 5

I became a vegetarian when I was about 11-12.... so you can imagine the kinda crap I was faced with from my family who had hardly even heard of vegetarians (along with most of my geographical region!) LOL. I eventually became vegan in high school and was vegan for a good number of years (I'm back to milk and egg products now for a few reasons). It's really tough to explain even simple things to the older generation especially. They grew up with meat and potatoes as the staple diet, so it's strange for them to think of anyone not eating meat, and forget about trying to tell them about things like gelatin or "rennet" etc... It's going to be a tough road, but at least your mother seems to support you. Learn to make your own food, and maybe even have your own dishes etc (it's also good practise for when you move out). You're more likely to get harassed if the person making your food has to go out of his or her way to make something different for you etc. What may seem like common sense to you (ie "NO I can't just pick the meat off my pizza") will never be common sense to meat-eaters for some reason.

My mother actually called me Johnny Appleseed for a while b/c I would always bring a small pot with me to cook my own food when staying with relatives etc. You still get ignorant questions and sarcasm, but just try to deal with it.. you'll have to deal with it the rest of your life with new friends, acquaintances etc. It gets old=P And I hate explaining why over and over again, but what can you do? You can save yourself some grief by keeping it to yourself when convenient (for example, when "no thanks, I'm not hungry" will suffice). You don't need to explain veganism every single time, there are usually ways around it... Also, learn to make some great tasty veg. meals and get your family in on it, so it doesn't seem so strange and foreign to them.

Answer 6

Okay you guys, I have been a vegetarian for 30+ years and and now going vegan, it's easier now since there are more products at a more reasonable price. I can't understand how someone can live with themselves after killing an animal (fur person). EEEWWWWWW! However I highly recommend that you use lots of cannabis. It is one of earths most healthy plants and contains electromagnetic energy just like humans. If you partake you will live 2-24 YEARS longer especially if you don't smoke CIGARETTES or drink alcohol. Even if you do smoke cigarettes and drink you'll get the extra 2 years. No BS!!!!

Answer 7

Congrats on going vegan...I get sarcasm too but just stick to your beliefs and eventually everyone will have to accept them..They probably know deep down that its the right thing to do but they are convinced eating meat is ok because thats what the majority do.

Answer 8

PETA.org has some really good answers to questions people have about animal rights and about going vegan also. You can also send away for pamphlets that help you explain things to other people in a good way.

Answer 9

being a vegan in todays world is really hard
i just stopped explaining and tell everyone i love animals too much to eat anything derived from them.

Answer 10

Just keep cooking! It should help, and eventually they will probably even ask for your recipes.