Social Stigma: Parents

[Typhoid]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

I don't know any 20+ year olds who would be embarrassed to be out with their parents.

I know a lot - that's why I thought of this thread in the first place. People are so ashamed to admit they're spending time with their parents, for fear they actually might enjoy the company - or completely avoid their parents once they move out for that same reason.

Not running to them with problems or doing stuff socially that you should be doing with your peers.

But what's so wrong with treating your parents like friends, and being friends with your parents? And who said anything about 'running to your parents with problems'? I was talking about being their friend, not mooching for their help or advice - unless you frequently run to your friends with your problems/do laundry at your friends/constantly borrow money from your friends.

I will say, though, that your 20s is usually thought to be the time when you're supposed to be on your own, making your way in the world, and figuring things out independently.

But if you treat your parents like friends, that negates the 'making your way through the world independently' thing, unless you never let one of your friends help you with decisions, or problems.

Hanging out with parents, and talking through decisions with them = Not independent, totally lame.
Hanging out with peers, and talking through decisions with them = Independent, totally okay.

That's the [basic] equation I don't understand.

I remember when I was taking a cab ride back from a bartending thing one night I was talking about this exact thing with the cab driver. He happened to be Indian [the kind from India], and he made some good points that made me think about it. He said "No matter how old you are, your parents house is always your house. I am 44, and I never say 'I am going to my parents house, come over for some food', I say 'I am going home. Come over to my house.' "

And he actually went on to explain why Indians who immigrate in tend to have all of their family in one house [other than cost reasons], and it actually made perfect sense. But now I'm being stoned and getting off track.

[Ginkasa]

I think this stigma is a "depends on the region/type of people" sort of thing. I really haven't seen this at all, really. Most of the people I know go out to movies or whatnot with their parents on a fairly regular basis. Those that don't aren't refusing or embarrassed to be with them; its usually due to location issues (living in different states and what not).

I only know a few people who actively don't want to spend time with their parents. Rather than being embarrassed, though, they just don't like their parents as people for pretty good reasons.