Telling your meat-eating family that you are vegan may be a little difficult, at least for me it was. When telling my mother that I was going to make the switch, her instant reaction was “no you’re not.”
I was 21-years-old, and was not asking her permission, I was just informing her of my lifestyle change. Unfortunately, some people like to step into areas that they have no business stepping into.
My mom made the usual comments that most people who are uneducated on veganism make, including “you’re not going to get all your nutrients.” I was frustrated with that comment because if she had done any sort of research, she would know that veganism is a completely healthy lifestyle. Where does it say that humans have to eat meat anyways?
I think the bottom line was that she didn’t want me to be different from the rest of the family, and unfortunately, I think that’s the typical North American view: not liking what’s different.
But, what is “different” anyways? Every single person is different, with different values and beliefs, so who’s to say what’s right and what’s wrong?
After putting up a bit of a fight, she did start to come around. At family gatherings she has been good about buying vegan products for me.
For all of you vegans out there, and people wanting to go vegan, who are having troubles telling your loved ones; remember that you’re not alone, and that you are doing a good thing for yourself, and the world.
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