DEAR ABBY: I'm a woman who was honorably discharged from the military recently and am now in an electrical construction apprenticeship. I'm starting a great career in a field I love that can give me a comfortable living without having to rely on a second job.
My problem is my family. Most of them are convinced that I hate men or I wish I was one. The rest are sure that I will emasculate anyone I would start dating.
I'm not a lesbian, and I like being female. I have no problem with anyone who follows different life paths than mine. My family is basing these opinions purely on what I have chosen to do for work. In their opinion, because I chose to work in what is considered nontraditional employment for "nice young ladies," as they put it, and can work on my house and car without extra assistance, it must be true.
I have tried repeatedly to explain that what I have chosen for a living has no bearing on my gender identity or my sexual orientation. They are completely ignoring anything I have to say about my life and life choices. Sometimes I wonder how I'm even related to these people. If I were asked to deploy back to the war zone, I'd happily leave tomorrow, because it would be easier than dealing with the small-minded, narrow viewpoints I'm encountering here at home. -- HOW CAN I MAKE THEM LISTEN?
DEAR HOW: It is beyond sad that you would find returning to a war zone more appealing than dealing with the pressure you're receiving because of your career choice. But please try not to blame your family for their outdated thinking. Many people are unaware that women are now being trained -- and succeeding in -- high-paying jobs once held only by men.
Because your relatives refuse to believe that you're heterosexual, stop wasting your time trying to convince them otherwise. Live your life in an authentic way, and if you meet a nice man and decide to settle down with him, eventually they'll realize they were mistaken.
I read this a few days ago. My first thought was ignore them and live your life the way you want. Some people are so set in their ways it is hard for them to accept that a female would enjoy working in previously male dominated fields.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
First of all stop "repeatedly explaining". Explaining makes people think they have some ownership or legit right to comment. Stop inviting comments and opinions. Sometimes people are looking for approval and then get mad when they don't get it. Stop putting out all your personal info to them. And, if they comment, just shrug it off.
Ugh. What is her family’s problem? There’s great money in that field and no shortage of work opportunities.
Why would anyone be upset about their child going into that field? It’s a lot less dangerous than being in the military, too.
As far as her sexuality is concerned, that’s not really their business anyway.
She should limit her contact with them if they are going to be so intrusive and weird.
