I am female, go to a prestigious college, upperclassman. Not technically allowed to date. I was raised to:
- Not go out at night, I would get raped or kidnapped.
- Never be alone with boys, even friends, because they were still boys and would rape me if they got the chance.
- Never be alone with my homosexual male friends, because they were still boys and would rape me if they got the chance.
- Never speak to strangers in person, because they would rape or kidnap me if they got the chance.
- Never speak to strangers online, because they would try to meet me in person and rape and kidnap me if they got the chance.
- Wasn't allowed out at night without parental supervision or phone calls every hour.
- Never touched a gas stove until college because was told it might blow up in my face.
- Never did my own laundry until college.
- Obviously, no drinking, no parties until college.
Parents instilled in me a sense of constant fear for the unknown and distrust for others, which makes it difficult for me to get close to people. I am now depressed and about to seek professional help. AMA
Edit 1: Thanks for all the comments, everyone! It's nice hearing everyone's stories. I just want to clarify that I am not trying to stereotype my family under any kind of "strict Asian parent stereotype." Every family is a case by case situation, it didn't cross my mind when I wrote "Asian American" that I was promoting the existence or idea of the stereotype.
Also, when I say seeking professional help, I really mean just speaking to a free counselor at my school. I love the people around me very much, but I'm just looking for an unbiased person to hear and help me sort things in my head. That's as far as it goes. =)
Edit 2: Wow, thanks for the great responses everyone! I really wasn't expecting to happen with this thread, but this is cool. I'm not in the country, so it's bedtime for me. I'll see what I can respond to in 6ish hours. Goodniiight!