My parents want me out of the fandom. I might be saying goodbye someday soon.*

[Guest]

personally i would tell them straight up that their attitude needs a tune up and that you can like what you want to like and that i dont give a **** about others opinions.

thats just me

however you want to deal with it is fine, you're probably not going to do what i'd do anyway, but face the problem head on nonetheless

[MandelSoft 29]

Seriously, are your parents upset for watching and loving something that is morally correct? Where the main message we should respect and tolerate each other for who we are? I think you may be more sane than they are. Everyone has his oddities. They should be glad that it isn't porn. They should be glad that it's just this little "quirk" and that it does inspire people for being creative, to care for each other and supporting each other. Not to do stuff like violence, sex or other things they might be afraid of being "immoral"

 

Is there something wrong with being a brony? No! I'm perfectly capable of liking MLP:FIM and your generic action packed Hollywood movie, or heck, even Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad, which is kind of odd when you watch one of those two after you just checked out the latest episode of MLP. The series doesn't make you gay or something (but some people think it does). The fact that hetero-sexual men are attracted to the show (and I'm talking about manly men) proves otherwise...

 

There are a lot of geeks in this world, people who most of all stay theirselves and do the things they love. And those geeks can surprise you someday, giving you insights you never seen before. Maybe your parents finally need to know that we live in 2013 now and that things like the Internet changed society.

 

Society has the habit to change every once in a while, because the world changes too. Take a look at some music genres for example 30 years ago, hiphop was virtually unknown, but today it's kinda mainstream (and no, I don't like hiphop, but this was just the best example). Internet has done a great deal to our life. How many people do you know that use sites like Twitter or Facebook? Probably a lot. The fact remains that the world you grow up in is not the world where they did grow up in. I like different music than my parents do. So what? True, I might share some of their opinions, but I also differ from some of them...

 

Just tell them this is the way you are and it's probably not going to change and that they fail to empathise with your perspective of things. Say that both of you have to agree to disagree on the subject and that it will be benificial to you all if they stop bothering you with this mosquito-sized non-problem. 

 

However, if that doesn't work out, you can always go for the Secretive Brony strategy. Remember, you have a whole community of intelligent people to support you. Some of us may even have a degree (or are on their way to get one). The Brony community is one of the friendliest and caring communities I ever came across. Heck, I'm even writing these kinds of posts trying to support people, despite being member for only two days!

 

Best,

Maarten

 

 

(FYI, my parents don't know it really, though I mentioned it to my father once. I think he didn't recieved the message at all).

Edited January 26, 2013 by MandelSoft

[Sanic Screwdriver 345]

So are you getting on here in secret or have they forgot/stopped caring about it? This was posted a long while ago. Just wondering

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

So are you getting on here in secret or have they forgot/stopped caring about it? This was posted a long while ago. Just wondering

 

I've resorted to getting on here in secret. They will never stop thinking negatively about it, and nothing is going to change that...for now, at least. I'm going to have to keep all pony things quiet. Thanks to everyone here for helping me through it, though. If I don't get discovered ever, I may just be able to keep being a Bony.

 

It does appear as though they've forgotten about it as they haven't persued any conversation pertaining to MLP or Bronies, so I think I'm in the clear. Well, as clear as it can be when you're keeping secrets.

[Alex0461 33]

Wow that's not even remotely right....I'm with everyone else here, don't let them change who you are. If they actually love you they'll accept you for who you are and if they don't well...kind of answers that one itself huh? I get that they're concerned but they're going a bit far. So my advice? Do what everyone does with their parents and rebel, however do it in a Brony way rather than the negative connotations rebelling usually has.

[Apple Bloom 2,916]

@@blackopp1, I'm going through the same kind of thing so I know how you feel. My family, especially my grandmother is the same way. She has this idea in her head that bronies (in general) are gay and/or pedophiles. I told her I was going to BronyCon and that I was probably sharing a room with three other people and she flipped out. She thinks it's bad enough that I'll be sleeping in the same room with three other people, but because they're bronies, she thinks they're going to "do something" to me or influence me somehow.

 

To better understand this, let me explain my situation. My grandmother is extremely prejudiced against anyone that fits into a category of LGBT. She's also extremely judgmental and says that she can tell if someone is gay just by looking at them or listening to how they talk. When she sees someone, she often says things like "He's weird" or "He must be gay". She's also very stubborn and once she gets an idea in her head, it's hard, if not impossible, to convince her otherwise. I tried showing her positive things about the fandom. I showed her some of the charities, art, and music. I even showed her the Bronies documentary but apparently she didn't get anything out of it. She still has the same mindset. Everything she's said negatively about the fandom, I've been able to prove wrong, yet she still believes it. To make things worse, someone told her that bronies have hidden agendas and they meetup to do "gay stuff".  <_<

 

What's so bad is that until recently, she seemed to support me. It was only when she noticed it turning into an obsession that she started to worry. Now she's telling me that bronies are gay, pedophiliac deviants and that she doesn't want me associating with them, despite me showing her clear proof otherwise. It really frustrates me because I know the truth and I'm trying my best to show her, yet she doesn't want to believe it. She looks for any negative aspect that she can find, and then assumes that it applies to the entire fandom. I don't know if she thinks she's helping me, but she's not. If anything, she's making me feel isolated and depressed.

 

Anyway, I've thought about it for a while now and I think the following phrase applies here.

 

 

Your parents may not accept your hobbies or the people you associate with, but you don't have to give in to them. If you can't convince them to accept you for who you are, just keep doing what you're doing. Eventually (hopefully) they'll see the light and realize how wrong they were.

[Zygen 6,065]

I see no reason why your parents should have the power to tell you what to do anyways Its just a show first of all, I don't understand what the big deal is for them. They shouldn't be asking you to change, especially all of a sudden.

 

I say you need to tell them somehow someway that they don't have the right to tell you to just stop being a brony, and that it really shouldn't matter.

 

Plus I don't want you to leave .

 

So good luck with it bro! I hope things go over well.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

@@blackopp1, I'm going through the same kind of thing so I know how you feel. My family, especially my grandmother is the same way. She has this idea in her head that bronies (in general) are gay and/or pedophiles. I told her I was going to BronyCon and that I was probably sharing a room with three other people and she flipped out. She thinks it's bad enough that I'll be sleeping in the same room with three other people, but because they're bronies, she thinks they're going to "do something" to me or influence me somehow.

 

To better understand this, let me explain my situation. My grandmother is extremely prejudiced against anyone that fits into a category of LGBT. She's also extremely judgmental and says that she can tell if someone is gay just by looking at them or listening to how they talk. When she sees someone, she often says things like "He's weird" or "He must be gay". She's also very stubborn and once she gets an idea in her head, it's hard, if not impossible, to convince her otherwise. I tried showing her positive things about the fandom. I showed her some of the charities, art, and music. I even showed her the Bronies documentary but apparently she didn't get anything out of it. She still has the same mindset. Everything she's said negatively about the fandom, I've been able to prove wrong, yet she still believes it. To make things worse, someone told her that bronies have hidden agendas and they meetup to do "gay stuff".  <_<

 

What's so bad is that until recently, she seemed to support me. It was only when she noticed it turning into an obsession that she started to worry. Now she's telling me that bronies are gay, pedophiliac deviants and that she doesn't want me associating with them, despite me showing her clear proof otherwise. It really frustrates me because I know the truth and I'm trying my best to show her, yet she doesn't want to believe it. She looks for any negative aspect that she can find, and then assumes that it applies to the entire fandom. I don't know if she thinks she's helping me, but she's not. If anything, she's making me feel isolated and depressed.

 

Anyway, I've thought about it for a while now and I think the following phrase applies here.

 

keep-calm-and-brony-on-20.png

 

Your parents may not accept your hobbies or the people you associate with, but you don't have to give in to them. If you can't convince them to accept you for who you are, just keep doing what you're doing. Eventually (hopefully) they'll see the light and realize how wrong they were.

 

...Even if it takes a few years.

 

Your situation sounds like almost an exact copy of mine (save for a few minor details). I'm sorry you're dealing with that, really I am. But hey, at least you get to go to BroNYcon...

[Zygen 6,065]

@@blackopp1, I'm going through the same kind of thing so I know how you feel. My family, especially my grandmother is the same way. She has this idea in her head that bronies (in general) are gay and/or pedophiles. I told her I was going to BronyCon and that I was probably sharing a room with three other people and she flipped out. She thinks it's bad enough that I'll be sleeping in the same room with three other people, but because they're bronies, she thinks they're going to "do something" to me or influence me somehow.

 

To better understand this, let me explain my situation. My grandmother is extremely prejudiced against anyone that fits into a category of LGBT. She's also extremely judgmental and says that she can tell if someone is gay just by looking at them or listening to how they talk. When she sees someone, she often says things like "He's weird" or "He must be gay". She's also very stubborn and once she gets an idea in her head, it's hard, if not impossible, to convince her otherwise. I tried showing her positive things about the fandom. I showed her some of the charities, art, and music. I even showed her the Bronies documentary but apparently she didn't get anything out of it. She still has the same mindset. Everything she's said negatively about the fandom, I've been able to prove wrong, yet she still believes it. To make things worse, someone told her that bronies have hidden agendas and they meetup to do "gay stuff".  <_<

 

What's so bad is that until recently, she seemed to support me. It was only when she noticed it turning into an obsession that she started to worry. Now she's telling me that bronies are gay, pedophiliac deviants and that she doesn't want me associating with them, despite me showing her clear proof otherwise. It really frustrates me because I know the truth and I'm trying my best to show her, yet she doesn't want to believe it. She looks for any negative aspect that she can find, and then assumes that it applies to the entire fandom. I don't know if she thinks she's helping me, but she's not. If anything, she's making me feel isolated and depressed.

 

Anyway, I've thought about it for a while now and I think the following phrase applies here.

 

keep-calm-and-brony-on-20.png

 

Your parents may not accept your hobbies or the people you associate with, but you don't have to give in to them. If you can't convince them to accept you for who you are, just keep doing what you're doing. Eventually (hopefully) they'll see the light and realize how wrong they were.

I don't see the problem with sleeping in a room with other people , we're doing that for our bands trip because obviously 100 something hotel rooms is expensive .

 

Unfortunately I think that the fact that older people are already not that adjusted to other generations, so accepting something like bronies is much more difficult to them. They've been in there ways for a while and are more stuck in them then others of younger generations.

 

I of course mean no offense to anyone, but this does seem to be a pretty common case.

 

Regardless my opinion is still the same, I don't see why its such a big deal, or why anyone should think they have the right to dictate what someone watches or associates themself with. Thats their choice.

 

Regardless, Good luck to both y'all Applebloom and Blackopp .

[FriendshipBlaster17 54]

My parents are the love of my life, and I understand the fact that they are good parents. But when I became a Brony, they didn't understand about the fandom experience and the energy. Sure, I told them about how they were and all, but still nothing's changed. Well, you know what? I am very proud to be a Brony, no matter what people judge, no one will be judged by our friendliness. 

[Just some guy 1,070]

Necro'd thread much?The last post was near the end of January.

 

I gotta say though,I'm surprised this lasted as long as it did.I wonder if everything's all good with blackopp and his parents now...

[~Chaotic Parsley~ 240]

I really do hope you sort this "mess" out . I have a somewhat personal experience with my dad, though now he has cooled down and not bothered. I've swayed my mum and usually joke about it with her, like I do for everything I do. Helps to keep my moral up. 

 

All I can say to people to people who are in the situation where they are being "forced" to stop being a brony is:

 

[qqq 217]

Keep at it. Your parents shouldn't choose who you are and what you like. To make things easier, try not to talk about the Brony Fandom near your parents to prevent any awkward moments. Whatever you choose to do, make it what you want to do.

 

If words don't suffice, maybe these people will help.

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-RI8-eSQoQ

[Sweet Dreams 1,893]

Hey! I only just joined these forums! You're not going anywhere! 

Seriously though, that really sucks. I hope you get to stay, it must be awful having your parents trying to get you out of the fandom.

[Scootaloo Is Best Filly 577]

Maybe it just comes with age and I have become wiser and realized that they don't have to like whatever I watch. But, I could care less about what my parents want in this situation. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my parents and for most of the stuff they say I want to do everything to please my parents and do what they want me to do. But, when it comes to matters like what I'm interested in, well not so much. I'm at the point that I'm just like, "You know what? It's a hobby, and something I really , really, really, like. If what I am doing is not hurting Me, You, or other people, who is it really hurting"? My best advice, is try to make your parents understand, and if that doesn't work try not to bring it up to your family.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

Necro'd thread much?The last post was near the end of January.

 

I gotta say though,I'm surprised this lasted as long as it did.I wonder if everything's all good with blackopp and his parents now...

 

To be honest, nope. I've been keeping this a secret from everyone in my family. I'm currently in the process of trying to convert some friends of mine, because that would invalidate my dad's statement of "If your friends aren't doing it", right?

 

Anyways, right now I'm on here in secret. It's likely to stay that way for a long time.

 

Also, I agree, this thread was created back in January, and it should stay back in January. Things haven't improved much, but this was a while back, and clearly I'm still in the fandom...even if in secret. Also, thanks to everyone who posted here, you were all great motivations to keep fighting on. Here's to hoping things improve...

[Just some guy 1,070]

To be honest, nope. I've been keeping this a secret from everyone in my family. I'm currently in the process of trying to convert some friends of mine, because that would invalidate my dad's statement of "If your friends aren't doing it", right?

 

Anyways, right now I'm on here in secret. It's likely to stay that way for a long time.

 

Also, I agree, this thread was created back in January, and it should stay back in January. Things haven't improved much, but this was a while back, and clearly I'm still in the fandom...even if in secret. Also, thanks to everyone who posted here, you were all great motivations to keep fighting on. Here's to hoping things improve...

Seriously?That's ridiculous if you forced to get on in secret still at this point in time. :/

 

I just wish there was more we can do to help at this point since you've literally tried every trick and suggestion we threw at you and had it shot down by your parents.All I say is good luck in converting your friends so your parents can stop being dumb.All else fails,we still got your back if anything else pops up.

[Zygen 6,065]

To be honest, nope. I've been keeping this a secret from everyone in my family. I'm currently in the process of trying to convert some friends of mine, because that would invalidate my dad's statement of "If your friends aren't doing it", right?

 

Anyways, right now I'm on here in secret. It's likely to stay that way for a long time.

 

Also, I agree, this thread was created back in January, and it should stay back in January. Things haven't improved much, but this was a while back, and clearly I'm still in the fandom...even if in secret. Also, thanks to everyone who posted here, you were all great motivations to keep fighting on. Here's to hoping things improve...

I'm sorry to hear your condition hasn't improved any after all this time. Its been a while since i've seen you around much actually .

 

I'm a closet brony myself, so i get on in secret basically. Not sure of my parents reactions if I told them for sure.

 

Maybe atleast converting your friends possibly will help. Or atleast give you someone to talk to about it or possibly help with it.

 

I hope your condition improves! If you ever need anything I'm always happy to lend an ear or something if you wanna PM me or something.

 

If not then I do still hope things get better! Good luck!

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

Seriously?That's ridiculous if you forced to get on in secret still at this point in time. :/

 

I just wish there was more we can do to help at this point since you've literally tried every trick and suggestion we threw at you and had it shot down by your parents.All I say is good luck in converting your friends so your parents can stop being dumb.All else fails,we still got your back if anything else pops up.

 

I never said life was fair...

 

Anyways, my parents just won't take anything but their own opinion. Even if I do convert my friends, it doesn't mean being in the fandom will be any easier. They could easily call all their parents and have then give all of them a "talk". That can't end well as it is, but even if they stay, my parents will put them on the "unreliable source" list they keep in their minds, and any help they could be is gone completely.

 

In other words, unless a miracle happens, there's no hope here, and even if it does, it still might not work.

[Lunar Follower 86]

My parents are the same way about most things. But its only when i step out and show them that "I do what I want" that they truly understand that letting me be is the best course of action. Following up, this is one fandom ive kept on a low key all together because of the many people who dislike the liking of a show. Further more, I believe that parents need to learn to open up and look at things from a different view such as I did when I joined this fandom and watched my first episode. In conclusion (hoping ive hit the min required characters) Its your life live it, I know i personally am not going to let my parents control the direction of my life and i will continue to do what makes me happy. ( forgive my lack of capitalized "I"s the auto correct is turned off on my tablet so i have to doit manually after im used to it getting fixed)

 

Drugs are bad

Have nice day

XD

[ColtofPersonality 855]

Blackopp,

Like everybody else on the forum I got you your back 110% no matter what. As for converting your friends i'd say go slow and easy don't overwhelm them. Maybe start out with a few songs..start out with an episode with alot of humor to it. As for your parents..I can't touch that one i'm afraid.

[LightsCameraAction 100]

I tell you what, you tell your parents to come on to this and take a look at your friends that are in this thread. You tell them to read all the good that we have to say about you and show them that just because they don't approve doesn't mean they should change who YOU are. You are your own person. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

[N.W. 3,619]

I never said life was fair...

 

Anyways, my parents just won't take anything but their own opinion. Even if I do convert my friends, it doesn't mean being in the fandom will be any easier. They could easily call all their parents and have then give all of them a "talk". That can't end well as it is, but even if they stay, my parents will put them on the "unreliable source" list they keep in their minds, and any help they could be is gone completely.

 

In other words, unless a miracle happens, there's no hope here, and even if it does, it still might not work.

If you stay strong, they  really can't change your mental state(That being your enjoyment of the Show,fandom,etc...)

You could simply refuse, and say their efforts are fruitless.

 

You could also pull this card: Good Parents would accept their child for who they are, regardless.

[Lewis the Brony 110]

Okay, so I'd just gotten back from fencing (it's a club at out school), and my parents were leaving for the weekend. My dad came out and said, I thought jokingly, that he didn't want me "associating myself with bronies" anymore. I laughed (somewhat forced, for obvious reasons) and said "Nice try, dad, I know you're joking with me." to which he responded, and I quote, "I kind of wasn't." then went on to say "If your friends aren't doing it." Our conversation went on to them leaving and my responsibilities, so we left the brony topic.

 

Okay, if it wasn't obvious enough, let me spell it out: my parents, especially my dad, not only dissapprove of me being a brony, but they want me to change who I am. I know I've already written about them being dissapproving of the show and getting merchandise from it, but this is completely different. Now they're outright telling me I need to stop being a brony. And if I don't...there's no doubt in my mind they'll force me to stop, by any means possible.

 

Just reflecting on this incident really brings some questions to mind.

 

First, isn't this contradicting what they've told me about being confident and being myself?

 

Secondly, is this in any way right? Seriously, is it?

 

The third question related to a friend of mine, who is somewhat of a hater like my parents. The thing is, he hasn't seen the show yet, so I have a small advantage. The problem lies in not only the presentation of the show, but also how to bring it up and respond to any comments or questions he might ask. He's coming over today to hang out, and I'm beginning to question whether or not to show the show to him. This is a very delicate situation, which could determine my future. But at the same time, it feels like a "now or never" kind of situation. My biggest problem here is that I feel scared to show him the show because, if it wasn't bad enough that he could have his hatred furthered, it's also that his reaction, like I said, could determine what happens next. I hate that it's really come down to this, but it seems as though it has and there's no way to change that.

 

So I really need some help here. Otherwise, I might be leaving the fandom, against my will no less. Although, to be honest, I might have no chance considering the circumstances.

 

*EDIT 1/27/13* As of now, I haven't received any conversation from my parents pertaining to Bronies or MLP. I'm just going to have to keep it all a secret, including my invovement here. It's not over, but there's a good chance that I'll have to remain a closet brony for now.

 

I'll work on a friend of mine, maybe he can convince them otherwise, but I wouldn't count on it. Regardless, thank you everyone who responded. Brohoof, and Brony on! /)

 

Remember, the battle is over, but not the war.

 

I'm a closet brony just like you. I'm afraid to tell my parents in fear of their public opinion, since my dad is in the US Navy and can really be pissed easily.

 

What I trust you to do, is to leave no trace of MLP: FIM on your computer, or buy any merchandise at all. What you should do is to delete your history on your web browser off your computer or laptop every day to avoid your parents trying to look at your history. Don't download any videos of the show onto your computer, watch them on YouTube instead.

 

Also, just act like you aren't an brony but more like a hater of bronies to your parents and your friend so that way no one suspects of you being a brony. The art of secrecy, my friend.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

I tell you what, you tell your parents to come on to this and take a look at your friends that are in this thread. You tell them to read all the good that we have to say about you and show them that just because they don't approve doesn't mean they should change who YOU are. You are your own person. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

I'm sorry to shoot you down, but my parents would see it more as offensive considering I've been talking "bad" about them on a website. To them, you're all a bunch of no life manchildren whose only life is on the Internet. You've just got to love their logic. Anyways, that would get me removed from this website for good, so that's a no go.