Why do my parents have issues with me becoming a vegetarian?

Question

They refuse to go out of their way to support my decision, and it makes it so inconvenient, I've just given up on trying. What is their perspective, so I can explain to them what I'm doing and why while understanding their point of view?

Answer 1

Your parents are worried about you not getting the correct nutrition. My parents did the same thing. One thing I found that works, is if you write up two papers. One of them with your reasonings for becoming a vegetarian, and real hard reasons not 'I love animals and don't want to hurt them' or 'Meat is gross anyways and I'm not going to eat it'. Then, in the second paper, you need to research how you will supplement meat, write up at least a page, if not two or three, on how you plan on getting the correct suppliments and how you will do more to get the right proteins and vitamins. A few recipes included works. And offer to cook your own meals, not forcing them to change their eating habits.

Note:
Being Vegetarian does require thought to get the right proteins or else you can get very sick. Being Vegetarian requires a lot of work.

Answer 2

I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect them to 'go out of their way' to support your decision. I'm not saying that to be rude, but would you go out of your way to support something you didn't understand? And they probably don't understand it. There could be many reasons. They may think it's another phase that will pass. They may think it's not healthy (some people are misinformed about vegetarianism).

If it's something you really believe in, do it for yourself, no matter who supports you. That is, if they allow it and from what you say it sounds like they do, but they're just not excited about it.

I really think your best bet is to ask them what their perspective is (it's hard to guess...). Then you will know, and open up a discussion about it where you can also express how important it is to you and why you feel the way you do. However, I would expect that if you do choose to continue to be a vegetarian, you will need to take responsibility for preparing your own food. That can be a fun learning experience as well. Good luck with it.

Answer 3

My sister became a vegetarian when she was a teenager. I don't know how you're going about things, but she used to sit at the dinner table and say "murderer" every time someone would take a bite of meat. It certainly didn't make us any friendlier towards her decision. It could be that they don't understand how easily they can modify what they're already preparing for dinner to include a non-meat option for you. Or that they're afraid that you won't be getting a balanced diet if you cut out meat. So do some research and learn how to replace the protein that you'll be cutting out, and offer to cook a meal for the whole family once a week to show them how good vegetarian meals can be.

Answer 4

My parents went nuts too. They weren't refusing to support it, they were out right sabotaging my efforts. Eventually they came around, but it just took showing them that I was serious. I think a lot of the times they think you are just following a trend or something. I was the one who went out of my way to be the vegetarian, and after a while, my mom knew it was what I really wanted and accepted it, even thought about my needs as a vegetarian before making plans.
Of course, now I'm a meat eater again. I made the transition back when I joined the Army because I was just so hungry! But I was a serious vegetarian all through high school.
Stay dedicated!

Answer 5

I know if I were to go vegetarian my parents would be worried im not getting all the nutrients that I should be getting when eating meat. So maybe you should gather some information on meat alternatives and facts that support vegetarians being just as healthy as meat-eaters (maybe even healthier!) and maybe throw in some monetary figures.
Or instead of waiting for your parents understanding, support and acceptance, you should purchase your own vegetarian meals so your parents cant make it an inconvenience.

Answer 6

It's a serious drag to be the one cooking dinner every night and who wants to have to make two meals? Your parents probably believe you're just going through a phase and it won't last long. It is a lot of extra work for whoever is doing the cooking if they're reliant on meat as the main part of each meal. Get yourself a vegetarian cookbook and offer to make dinner a few nights a week. If you stick with it and you're helpful and enthusiastic, I'm sure they'll come around.

Answer 7

You need to gather all of the information you have learned and let your parents read it. Many people are misinformed about the health benifits of a vegetarian diet. They believe that you will lack essential nutrients(which is false).

Don't listen to people that tell you that you won't get enough protein. The average person eats 700% more protein than nessesary. Studys show a diet with too much protein causes various health issues and cancers. The average person, female needs 45 grams of protien a day and male needs 55. Protein deficianies are very rare(protein is in everything) Explain to you parents that you are getting enough protien through nuts, eggs(if you eat them), milk, beans, etc.

As far as b-12, if you are eating dairy than you are probably getting more than enough. Explain to your parents that b-12 is not an issue since you are eating dairy.

Your parents may just be reacting to your growing independance. No parent likes to see that their child is growing up and beginning to make decisions about life.

I suggest sitting down with your parents and talking through thier concerns. Be sure you have the information to ease thier worries. Simply say that you have made a decision and it may not be a choice they would make, but you are growing up and would like them to support and respect the decision, even if they do not agree with it.

Some helpful websites:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4777 (this is from the american heart association)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/HQ01596
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/legumes/NU00260
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/4054.pdf
http://www.vegsoc.org/youth/Parentteenager.pdf

Answer 8

This can be such a touchy subject, I know I have been there. My son was 3 when he decided that he wanted to be a vegetarian, any time we ate meals he just would fight me on eating his meat- he told me that eating a dead animal was just sick! I talked to his Dr. about this and he said not to force him to eat meat and he will be healthier then the rest of us. Well he is 19 now and he has been sick only 5 times since he stopped eating meat. When he was 13 and got strep throat he thought that he was gonna die because he didn't ever remember being sick before. It was not easy for me as a mother, but it wasn't hard either. Lot's of people picked on me as a mother and told my son that he was weird. So really if you want to do it talk to your Dr about it with your parents, make it easy for them when it comes to meals and who knows maybe you will be healthier then the rest of the family
There is lots of other ways to get your protein!

Answer 9

Well they're concerned because its not good for your health, see when you stop eating meat you don't get enough protein , so you have more chances of becoming sick, and you will look pale and frail, and most of the time you will be very exhausted. The human body is MADE to function on meat and vegetables alike. See you here a lot of stories about vegetarians feeling healthier, but its all in your head, it actually makes you less healthy not to eat meat. And if you think that not eating meat will help save animals think again because the meat industry will still kill as many animals a day even if you don't eat meat.

Answer 10

Sounds like you are a teen living at home. Your parents obviously know that one should not become a vegetarian as a teen, you simply need more well-balanced nutrition for your optimal growth, both body and mind. When you are an adult out on your own, that's a decision you can make for yourself.