I wanna become a vegatarian, but my parents are against it.?

Question

I'm 16.
And I recently been persuaded about becoming a vegatartain.
I think it's the right thing to do.
But my parents think I'm too young and still finding who I am.
They say I need meat to help me grow and develop.
But I strongly feel different.
At dinner, they cook meat even knowing I'm against it.
and if i refuse to eat it, i get grounded, and everything gets taken away from me.
ipod, cellphone, the works.
How do I make them understand?

Answer 1

ANOTHER person asking this question!
Yikes. I thought my parent were the only ones like this -- seems a lot of people are just like my parents. How sad.

There are teens out there drinking, smoking, doing drugs, in gangs, doing crimes, and even killing, and all you want is to eat some vegetarian food... ha ha ha... the irony, huh?

At dinner, don't eat anything that you don't want to eat. Simple. Unfortunately there are no laws preventing parents from forcing their ways on their children who have decided they do not want to follow their ways.

I just recently answered this twice in detail. You'll find that the real answer has nothing to do with your food, but what it represents.

You'll find my answers here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ah4HmrnwU8qQp.4phjlwX3Hty6IX?qid=20070718155159AAjwTsu&show=7#profile-info-4ad51cf74fe8824e1a026c25a71e2d9eaa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApLSyrssOd9eBR4AmPdIJOjty6IX?qid=20070715203202AAqQlG0&show=7#profile-info-Sy2ztZFZaa

Answer 2

Wow that is a tough one. I convinced my parents of a lot of crap when I was younger (9 piercings) but I never did get the tattoo (until I was 18). It's a really hard one to convince parents of because it is sooo permanent and they're probably afraid that you're going to do something you regret. Keep in mind that in most states (I know California for sure) they won't even give a minor a tattoo with parent's permission so before you get all excited I would check that out. No use getting worked up over something that can't happen anyway. But if it is ok where you are then... well... I know it would also depend GREATLY on what you wanted to get. If you wanted to get a flaming skull and cross bones, a bleeding rose, or heaven forbid... you're b/f or g/f's name... they WILL say no. But if you wanted to get something meaningful... like your family crest or maybe a memorial to someone you lost... then I think your parents would be a lot more likely to say yes but then again you have to SERSIOUSLY think about what you want on your body for the rest of your life. But if your parents don't think that you're responsible and mature enough to make this kind of PERMANENT desicion then they WILL say no. You need to show them that you are mature and resposible. Do chores without them asking... do chores you're not even supposed to do! Go out of your way to make your parent's life easier... bring home a good test or two maybe even get a job so YOU can pay for it. If they think that you're grown up... then it will be a lot easier for them to treat you that way when faced with such an issue! I hope it works out! Let me know! Good Luck! Oh and by the way... what ever you do... get it done by a PROFESSIONAL! I can not tell you how many friends I have who have gotten HORRIBLE tattoos because "They have a friend who knows a guy who's REALLY good." If it's not done in a shop... don't do it. No garages... No basements... they get infected.. not to mention you have CRAPPY artwork on your body for the rest of your life.

Answer 3

Shows her that you are already big enough to be socially conscious! So find some websites talking about animal cruelty, and make a paper explaining the process those animals must get through before reaching your dish, if with the images and the explainations, they cannot understand that you know what you are doing, then you must show them that you are accepting the punishments they gave to you, and by doing this, they will see how wrong they are! Just take on yourself that you can last a week without Ipods and other gaming stuff, and they will bend!! This is as simple as that!

Answer 4

First off, I'd point out to them that exploring vegetarianism and asserting your independence diet-wise is a huge part of finding who you are.

Second, do some online research about nutrition. Show them that you can get all the nutrients you need from a meatless diet. Most people who haven't learned much about vegetarianism are concerned about protein, iron and calcium. Luckily, there are lots of food that can give you all of these nutrients. Showing them your research can do two things: one, lets them know their fears are ungrounded and two, lets them know you're serious about this.

Third, offer to help cook. If your mom knows that you going vegetarian doesn't mean that she needs to cook two separate dinners every night she may be more receptive to it.

Lastly, don't judge them for cooking meat even if they know you're against it. There's an old saying that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. If you're concerned about their diet, lead by example, but don't pitch a fit and refuse to sit at the same dinner table if they are going to eat meat. It's rude and it won't help your case anyway.

Answer 5

Well, I am having a complete flashback! I became a veggie at 15. I am 22 so I have learned a lot in my 7 years :) Everyone in my family ate meat and could not understand at all why I wanted to make this transition. At first it was a bit dramatic, but as time went on and they realized it was not a phase they slowly began to accept it. I was very lucky, once my mom accepted it she would always make 2 things for dinner. For example if she made lasanga she made two, one with meat and one without. I hope that things work out the same for you, but it very well may not. Just give them some time, calmly ask them to have a sit down with you and just talk about it. You have to realize that to most people eating meat is an everyday normal thing, don't get upset or angry when they state their point of view. Have you mentioned this to your family doc? Luckily mine was a vegitarian so he really helped convince my parents that I wasnt going to die because of this and that I would most likely be healthier :) A lot of docs even though they eat meat still believe that a veg diet is great, check with yours and see it could help smooth things over. There are tons of great articles online about the diet being very beneficial, try printing a few of those off and lying them around. It may take longer for them to understand why ethically you want to do this, just stick with the health benefits when talking to them for now (since all they are worried about is more than likely their daughters health). Hope this helps, hang in there, it will get better!!!!

Answer 6

Hang in there and be strong! Every new vegetarian faces the "family and friends obstacle" when they begin. It's one of the best things you can do for yourself, but strangely enough no one wants you to do it!
What I eventually did was just refuse to eat, point blank. If they take away your priveleges, let them. You have to make them see that you are serious about this, and if it means no ipod, no cellphone, then fine, because THIS is more important to you. Or at dinner, only eat the vegetarian things like the side dishes. Or better yet, begin making your own dishes that everyone can share, so they can see that you won't be missing out on anything. Here is a great site for recipes: www.vegweb.com (this is for vegans mostly, but you can substitute dairy in for vegetarian recipes)
Bring them literature that shows the benefits of a vegetarian diet (including the fact that turning vegetarian will help slow global warming- it's true!) and try and make them see why its important to you.
In the end, the last one standing is the winner here, so hold your guns and they will come around!

Answer 7

Well, don't listen to these people who are saying you can't get adequate nutrition without meat. They are simply wrong. The only nutrient found mainly in meat foods is Vitamin B12 and many plant foods are fortified with it-mostly cereal and soy milk.
Don't be like those people-do your research. There are tons of great web sites to help you get started. Download this info and show your parents. I will assume they are just worried about you, so if you show that you are doing this the right way they should become more agreeable. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

You know meat isn't as healthy or important as people say it does. Humans are not carnivores but are omnivorous. While it is healthy to eat meat, it is only healthy to eat meat in moderation, and this means once a month maybe, not everyday. Meat is high in saturated fat and while it is a good source of iron and protein it is not the only source.
You shouldn't have to take a heap of supplements if you are eating a healthy vegetarian diet. Do your research, find out where you can get you essential vitamins from and go to a Doctor for a blood test if your worried about not getting the correct vitamins.

Answer 9

Wow, you're parents are not nice, in my opinion. You need to explain to them the reasons you you have decided to become a vegetarian, be honest and open and passionate about it. No, you do not need the meat to help you grow. There are many people who have been raised from birth not eating meat and they are perfectly healthy. I am planning on raising my own children vegetarian. Explain to your parents that you do not need meat, just the protein that meat provides, and that you can get protein from other sources. Use this health calculator to figure out how much protein you need: http://diet.ivillage.com/healthcalc
Show the results to your parents and have them help you find products that contain protein such as veggie burgers, black beans, whole grains, nuts and peanut butter and tofu. If you get them involved, maybe they'll be more supportive. Good luck!

Answer 10

Well I have never been and never will be a vegetarian but I know a few people who are and the guy who posted above me is right, you have to go on a very strict diet and you have to take a lot of vitamins and minerals to replace what you body has lost from not eating meat.
I know a girl who became a vegetarian and she was not healthy at all because she did not take any vitamins or anything.
You really need to sit down and talk to your parents about this and listen to their side of the story also. Don't just get mad at them and run to your room and slam the door. If you think you are really ready for this the first step to proving to your parents that you are mature enough to make this decision is to talk to them in a mature manner. Inform them on exactly why you would like to do this and maybe they will give it a second thought.
You really need to do some research about this and not just do it because of the poor little innocent animals.