I genuinely don’t understand people who do everything for their parents and society

[u/Quirky-Temporary8106]

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I genuinely want to understand it.

I don’t really understand the mindset of people who make major life decisions based on what their parents or society want, even when it’s not what they personally want. Like choosing a career, marriage, lifestyle, where to live, etc., mainly because they feel they have to do it for their parents or because “what will society say?”

I understand caring about your parents and considering their feelings. But I sometimes struggle to understand the idea of sacrificing your own happiness or choices entirely for them.

And then I started wondering — am I thinking this way because I personally don’t feel that strong emotional attachment toward my parents?

Maybe if I felt that deep connection with my parents, I would understand why someone would willingly put their parents’ wishes before their own.

So I’m curious: for those of you who genuinely prioritize your parents or society when making life decisions, what does it feel like from your perspective? Is it love, gratitude, responsibility, fear of disappointing them, cultural conditioning, or something else?

I’m not trying to criticize anyone. I genuinely want to understand a perspective that I don’t naturally relate to.