A Compilation and Splicing of Similar Stories Into One Narrative.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

You can be anything.

Right? Anything you want to do or be, you can. Because you live in America. And in America, that's the guarantee. You can come up from nothing and do anything. Be anything. Blaze new trails and rise to glory with minimal effort. Sure, there's work. But it's honest work that enriches you and everyone around you.

So it's worth it. If you just try real hard and want it bad enough, you'll get whatever you want. And reach all your goals.

Just do your best, honey. That's all anyone can ask.



No, you can't have the blue bag. That's for boys. Girls get pink. There you are, quit crying. Everyone knows girls like pink best. Go play dolls with your friends. Oh, they're playing with blocks? Well. Go ahead, but don't neglect your dolly. It will die without your love and care. I swear. What girl plays with blocks?

But don't go outside wearing those clothes, you whore. Wipe off all that make-up, what do you want people to think you're a tramp? March yourself upstairs right now and wash out that hair-dye. No child of mine is going to go out looking like a freak.

Tattoos? Piercings? Self-expression? Who the hell do you think you are? While you are living under my roof, you will obey my rules.

That's just how the world works. When you're all grown up and living on your own, you can do whatever you want. But while you're here with me, you won't make me look bad by doing things I don't understand and can't explain away to my friends as 'just a phase' or 'such a sweet child, really'.



I wish you'd just try harder to be nice, dear. You'll never catch a husband if you don't change your attitude. Don't you think you'd be happier if everyone liked you? All you have to do is just smile and stop making such a fuss about every little thing. So your sister stole your favorite necklace and lost it. It's just an object. Nothing in the larger scheme of things. So your brother read your diary and then flushed each page down the toilet.

You shouldn't have secrets anyway, as young as you are. All that thinking and pining will chase the men away. Go upstairs and put on some moisturizer. And quit frowning! You don't want wrinkles. And when was the last time you shaved your legs, dear? They look a bit Brillo-pad-ish. Who is going to want to snuggle up against you and steal a kiss when their skin or clothes will get shredded in the process? Don't forget your pits, too.



Well why did you go into this career anyway? You knew men dominated this field and got all the best jobs and best pay. You're a woman. You should do something else, like teaching. That's a good calling. Or a nurse. Your grandma was a nurse now why isn't that good enough for you? Why do you want to build things and make things better and blow things up? I swear, sometimes I don't know where I went wrong with you. What about veterinarians? They make good money and you like kittens, right? And you wouldn't have to go to school for half as long, would you? Oh, you'd have to go longer? Well. You could just marry and settle down. I'd like grand children before I die, you know.

Fine, do what you want, but don't come crying to me when you get hurt or can't find a job. No one wants women engineer-whatsits. You should have thought about this more carefully. How are you going to have kids and keep a husband happy if you're always working and always dirty and always away from home instead of making a happy little haven for your man and offspring?



See what happens when you're so stand-off-ish? You spent all that time chasing dreams and fighting against the natural order of things that now you're all tired and washed up. You don't even put any effort into looking nice. No make-up. No dresses. No nice shoes. That's why you can't find a man. I wish you'd quit that job. No amount of money is worth being alone for the rest of your life. Just because you sit in that fancy office doesn't mean you're too good to meet someone nice. Just don't be too intimidating, dear. Men don't like it when you're more powerful than they are.

What do you mean you need space? I'm your mother. How can you say something so cruel and hurtful? Live your life? What does that mean? You are living your life. I need therapy? ME? I need therapy? Oh honey. I haven't said one thing about all the horrible mistakes you're making . . . hello? Hello? Honey? Come back. Mommy loves you.



Hello? Hello? Why did this happen? I tried so hard and gave her everything. And now I'm all alone. My husband left. My daughter abandoned me. I don't understand why I'm so alone. I tried so hard to be a good woman, a good mother . . .

[Junkenstein]

Stunning. Gives an idea of the barrage of societal/parental pressures that pretty much everyone endures in at least some fashion.

You being happy about your life is not as important as how happy you can make others. If you're not doing your utmost to make everyone else happy you are a terrible selfish person. You can be anything, provided you conform to exactly what I want you to be.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

I'm watching this same thing play out in three different stages with three different groups of people, right now.

[LMNO]

This must have been tough to write.  Good stuff, though. Thanks.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

I was gonna end it with "Just love me and do what I say. Or kill me" but it sounded too 'Labyrinth'-y.

[McGrupp]

This was really good. Pushes to conform that come from a sense of love are the hardest to deal with.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Learning to tune out bullshit like that is an essential part of growing up. Well, that or going along with it and being miserable for the rest of your life