Traditional Parents

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the endless.
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the endless.
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 2623
June 24th, 2008 at 04:52am
Okay, so I'm Indian, and my parents are really, really traditional.

They definitely don't want me to date, which, for the time being, I'm okay with. But they're even paranoid about me having guy friends. I'm generally not allowed to hang out with guys, even if there are other girls with me and it's totally platonic.

The thing is, most of my friends have left for homelands and trips this summer, and I'm stranded all alone. I only have one friend that's going to be here for most of the summer, and that's a guy, Zach.

Admittedly I do have a crush on him, but I'm not going to act on it. I just need someone to hang out with over the summer, I go crazy alone in a house.

I've lied to my parents before about hanging out with him, even in groups, but I realize this isn't a good idea since my parents both have flexible schedules and would probably see me somewhere with him and then automatically assume the worst.

What I need advice on is how to talk to my parents about hanging out with him.

This may seem kind of ridiculous, but my parents (and most indian parents) are really really strict. So something basic won't work on them, like "We're just friends."

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Smiley
Teh Manda
Amateur Author
Teh Manda
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Posts: 235
June 24th, 2008 at 06:57am
Oh my gosh! Finally someone who goes through the exact same thing as me. I have thought of somethings to say to my parents, but I'm too scared to say it. "Mom, Dad. I'm 15 now and I'm growing up. I hoped that you would trust me in making the right decisions when it comes to this stuff." Is that good? Where do you live, as in the country? Cause then I can think of some more stuff.
the endless.
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the endless.
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 2623
June 24th, 2008 at 07:03am
I live in California, the United States. San Jose, in northern California to be even more specific.

Yeah, I gave them that talk, with almost exactly the same words, when I spent all of today with two friends, wandering the streets. They called almost constantly, but I think I've got that fixed.

Aww it's great to hear that someone is in the same situation. Cute
Teh Manda
Amateur Author
Teh Manda
Age: 14
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Posts: 235
June 24th, 2008 at 07:09am
Yeah, I know right? Haha. But yeah, I want to help you cause I know what it's like also. How bout something like? "Mom, Dad. We live in The United States of America! It's not socially unaccepted to be seen with boys here! It's not unusual. I don't want to lose my indian heritage but I want to be american at the same time."

But anywhoo, do you consider yourself really indian? Like know all of the language and the traditions? Because then you can say the heritage bit and it would probably be effective.
the endless.
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the endless.
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 2623
June 24th, 2008 at 07:28am
No, I'm a terrible Indian. But if I were to say that I want to be American, they would probably get mad. I think I've just got to explain to my mother (she's less traditional than my dad, if a little more scary xD) that I'm smart enough not to get into a relationship (not that I agree, but you know) and she should trust me to hang out with my friends.

I dunno though. Disgust
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Sketch
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Sketch
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June 24th, 2008 at 07:37pm
Wow, your parents won't let you hang out with boys? I don't mean to offend you but whoa, that's tough. If my parents were like that i'd probably go mad, as half of my friends are boys. My parents are pretty liberal, i guess.

My advice would be to sit down and talk to them properly. Don't argue too much, cos that solves nothing. Have a calm, reasonable discussion with them and hopefully they'll be able to see things from your side.

Good luck. Cute
Maxwell Green.
Cliché Catastrophe
Maxwell Green.
Age: 69
Gender: Female
Posts: 551
June 24th, 2008 at 07:55pm
My friend's mom told her she could have a boyfriend, but she couldn't kiss. o_o

I think it's rediculous. Parents should have some respect for their children. Most of the time it's obvious when the kid is lying, and it's not right to assume that all teenagers are sluts. (I think that's the whole thing parents are worried about.)

My parents trust me around guys, basically. If they were worried, they'd stop me, but they trust me now and that's what counts.

You should talk to your parents, even if it won't do any good. Tell them that you don't like any of your guy friends, and that they are truly just your friends. Prove it to them by inviting your dude friend over while their home... I know that's embarassing, but it's the strongest way to gain their trust.

Cute
ChemicallyImbalanced
Wordsmith
ChemicallyImbalanced
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 10251
June 25th, 2008 at 01:17pm
My mum always tells me that I'm too young to get involved in a relationship and that when I'm 18 I can start to date guys.
She never said anything about girls. tehe
Procrastinator.
Grammar Guru
Procrastinator.
Age: 10
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Posts: 5032
June 26th, 2008 at 01:30pm
My country is conservative, and my parents are so too. Cheese

My mom wouldn't let me have a boyfriend until I finish my college studies.
Don't worry mother, your wish is my command. Grr

miatastic.
Ink Slinger
miatastic.
Age: 15
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Posts: 844
June 26th, 2008 at 02:26pm
I'm not allowed to date, too. Sometimes, I feel like I'm being suffocated with this "No dating" rule, but I'm too embarrassed to actually give them the "Mom, Dad, I'm old enough yadda yadda blah blah blah" talk. So I'm all 'okay, whatever' now.
F'n'stein.
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F'n'stein.
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 2483
June 26th, 2008 at 04:04pm
My parents are really strict about boys... -rolls eyes-
Well not strict, per say, more like they don't really want to hear about it. And things get really awkward if I ever bring up the conversation.
Probably because I'm the only child, I dunno..

My mum's not that bad now cause she knows I'm 15. But my dad is just... awfull...
I prefer not to even talk to him about anything except music or guitar now, because I'm scared of the awkwardness... XD
the endless.
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the endless.
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Posts: 2623
June 29th, 2008 at 03:35am
My mom said I could go. Con

I basically said what the first poster told me too, though I had to throw in that the other Indian girls at my school were whores. Shifty

Yay. Con
Nae
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Nae
Age: 16
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June 29th, 2008 at 12:01pm
My dad thinks every boy I meet is out to violate me File
FrancyPansy
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FrancyPansy
Age: 21
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Posts: 1294
June 29th, 2008 at 02:18pm
My parents are in a way conservative.. (my mom even more since she is christian) but they never gave a shit whom I was meeting. Maybe because my older sister had more boyfriends than a year has months lmfao
I am just 2 1/2 years younger so maybe that's why.

But I discovered lately that traditional parents can rock too. I am living in a really christian dorm and they are.. pretty tight up. My mom is totally liberal when you compare them :tehe Now I love her even more because she allowed me stuff my other friends werent allowed to do even if their moms seemed cooler. Cute
Nae
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Nae
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Posts: 2877
June 29th, 2008 at 03:18pm
My mum's not too fussed what me and Ben do/don't do. As long as we go about it in an intellectual manner (lmfao) and don't make it too public.

My mum rocks File
Heartbreaker.
Amateur Author
Heartbreaker.
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Posts: 105
June 30th, 2008 at 10:02pm
Haha, I just go behind my parents' backs...

Probably not the best thing to do, but hey, it works for me. I think they knwo I do too... we both live with it, though. We don't want another thing like with what happened with my sister... haha, long story.

My parents technically say I'm not supposed to date, but it really never stops me... so eh... whatever.

So what did they say when you talked to them? Did they tell you they were okay with you hanging with Zach? I hope so...
HeartSearching
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HeartSearching
Age: 14
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June 30th, 2008 at 10:44pm
We have a girl at our school with really traditional Indian parents. She is actually getting an arranged marriage and is OK with it. Shocked
Heartbreaker.
Amateur Author
Heartbreaker.
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Posts: 105
June 30th, 2008 at 10:50pm
O_o Omg.. I couldn't live with an arranged marriage.. I would die... I'm too free-spirited for that.
Dita Von Teese
Grammar Guru
Dita Von Teese
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Posts: 4099
July 1st, 2008 at 09:35pm
I wasn't allowed to date until I turned 16, and pretty much it's because they wanted me to wait until I was able to make the right choises without feeling pressured.

I've had boyfriends since I was 13, but not actual dates until 16.
Mia Bell.
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Mia Bell.
Age: 87
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July 2nd, 2008 at 11:20am
sorry, but I have no idea how to go about it if they're that strict!!