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How to get my dad off my back?

Okay. So I feel completely trapped by my dad; like I have no control of my future. I know, this is going to sound weird, but I feel like I’m being forced into an Ivy League school. I don’t want to go Ivy League. I mean, I realize he’s trying to help and all, but still! He’s been flipping out about me wearing dark clothes because it will “limit my options.” As will an upper ear piercing (not even gauges, no chains, nothing! He doesn’t even want me to get a second lobe piercing!). The worst part is, he’s trying to help. I think part of it is I embarrass him, and he thinks that everyone with an outlandish piercing, dark clothes, a tattoo, etc, has something mentally wrong with them that makes them act that way. Even if he won’t admit it, that’s what he thinks. Even my black nail polish is flipping him out. It’s ridiculous! He’s even said that he thinks something’s wrong with me (I mean, there probably is, but still) and that all my friends and I are “morbid.” Half of my friends don’t even wear black all the time. But, apparently, if my clothes were ‘fresh pressed’ it’d be different.

What do you think?

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Answer #1

I think that your dad is just trying to look out for you. My dad is the same way. He will eventually accept it when he notices that you are still successful no matter how you dress.

Answer #2

If you make a reasoned argument he may see your point. If you tell him that you want to study XXX and the best school for this is YYY which isn’t Ivy League or that you think you will fit in better at a smaller or less competitive school suggest this.

Lots of kids take a break between graduating high school and starting college like a year riding trains across Europe or back packing in Tibet. If your dad has the resources to pay for an expensive private school he should be able to swing this. Perhaps after a year you and your folks will see more eye-to-eye.

Every generation has its fashion and parents always hate it. Kids always embarass their parents; it is their job ;)

bon courage

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