"My 14-year-old daughter, "Abigail," became a vegan over the summer. I respect her decision, but the problem is Thanksgiving. Abigail is adamant that the entire meal be vegan. She is now threatening to boycott Thanksgiving dinner if I don't abide by this, by staying in her room until it's over. I have explained that she is free to make her own choices regarding her diet, but that she doesn't get to dictate what we serve"
"Look, I get where she's coming from. She has concluded that it's wrong for us to make use of animals and what they produce, as if we're more important than they are. She's staked out a philosophical position (and probably an emotional one), and she is deeply pained by the thought of sitting among those whom I'm guessing she feels are cold-hearted, cruel, and just plain wrong as they consume animals"
A 14-year-old named Abigail adopted veganism and demands that the entire Thanksgiving meal be vegan, threatening to boycott the gathering by staying in her room if non-vegan items are present. The parent respects Abigail's choice but refuses to allow her to dictate what the household or guests will eat, offering instead to prepare special vegan versions of traditional dishes. Abigail perceives such accommodations as patronizing and morally troubling, feeling anguished about sitting among family members who consume animal products. The situation reflects a clash between adolescent moral conviction and parental authority over shared household rituals.
Read at Slate Magazine
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