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Here’s a story about a woman raised in a household with strict gender roles. Her education was not valued, but she pursued her dreams anyway. Years later, her parents wanted to reconcile, but it may have been too late.
Imposed Gender Roles
The original poster (OP), Liz, was raised by parents who believed fathers should be the primary providers and mothers should stay home with their kids.
Growing Up With Strict Expectations
Liz was at a disadvantage because she was the only girl in the family. Early on, Liz’s parents didn’t value her educational achievements. By the time Liz was in high school, two of her older brothers had gone to the college of their choice.
A Denied Opportunity
Liz’s parents covered full tuition, books, and off-campus living expenses for their sons’ college education. However, Liz wasn’t even allowed to apply to college.
Exclusion From Higher Education
Liz, wanting to pursue her goals, secretly applied to the college of her choice and was accepted with a partial scholarship. She didn’t tell her parents she was moving until a week before classes began.
A Secret Pursuit
With her friends’ support, Liz went to college, pursuing an engineering degree. However, it was far from easy.
Defying Parents and Securing College Acceptance
Because Liz only had a partial scholarship, she took on some debt and struggled to get by. The good news was she persevered and graduated from college.
The Struggle for Education
After leaving for college, Liz barely spoke to her parents for years. Liz eventually got married and was expecting her first child when her parents asked to meet up.
Liz and her parents met at a park. At this time, Liz’s parents apologized for the pain they caused her. They also expressed their desire to rebuild a relationship with their daughter.
Years of Estrangement
Liz could never forget her hardship and demanded to know what her parents were specifically apologizing for. They wouldn’t elaborate; they just wanted to move forward.
A Reconciliation Attempt
Liz refused to accept her parents’ apology. She said that if they were really sorry, they would give her $100K for college. Liz’s mom burst into tears, and eventually, they parted ways.
Seeking Accountability
Liz’s brothers soon learned about this meeting and Liz’s demand; they were outraged and accused Liz of being immature and hurtful.
Not an Honest Apology
“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.”
Influencing the Baby
“That’s a generic ‘Sorry you’re upset’ non apology. They are just around now because they want to influence the baby.”
Fair Enough
“It’s fair even if they don’t. It was their job to support all their children equally.”
Maintaining a Firm Stance on Self-Worth
It was tough for Liz to pursue her goals as a teen when both her parents prohibited her from attending college. The good news was that Liz’s parents ultimately recognized their mistakes and wanted to start a new relationship. Did Liz go overboard by asking them to pay off her college debt?
12 Obvious Signs You Grew Up as an Only Child
Growing up as an only child can have its unique experiences. Here, we explore a few obvious signs that indicate you’re an only child. From getting along with adults at an early age to making no announcements, these signs will resonate with many who grew up with no siblings.
12 Obvious Signs You Grew Up as an Only Child
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