How to deal with my parents?

NSFWFamily & Relationships (Mon-Thu)

For context, I'm 20(F). My parents are in their late 40's. I have a younger sister as well. We're from a well off background, our parents have always supported us in everything and I'm quite successful all thanks to them. But the past few weeks have been really disturbing for me because I have just now realised how orthodox my very educated parents are.

Since the past few weeks we've been talking a lot about feminism and the different issues that women face. The topic of marital rape, sexual abuse, etc. For them it always boils down to 'that's why you guys shouldn't wear short clothes.'

Today it all came to a head. Our house help's 10 year old daughter was raped in her house yesterday. After my mom told me this, it again came down to: 'see this is why your dad and I always tell you guys not to wear short and revealing clothes. You should only wear such things when we are with you. We don't live in a safe country for women.'

To this I said how I had been groped in Dubai, a country considered as very safe, when we went there for a trip. Dad was with us then but he was clicking photos of some animals and I was a bit far from him. Btw this was news to them, I had never told them this, neither do I blame my dad for it. Not his fault at all. But I just wanted to tell them how even being with family doesn't help, and that men of all countries and all ages are very similar.

After talking about it for a bit, my mom again said that you should wear such clothes only with your husband. I asked why and she replied because your husband is possessive of you and will always protect you.

What the actual fuck? I'm really disturbed by all of this and don't know how to make them see the truth. They both are engineers from reputed universities, both are working, but harbour such outdated ideas. Please help!

Posted Jun 8, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC

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