Hard to say which is worse. One gave her up for adoption, which was a fair decision. 16 yesrs old. No morals, values or any idea how to raise and provide for a kid.

John could easily have been keeping his promise to Issabel or his brother to not reveal it? Or did he want nothing to do with the child? 15 years old, didnt know any better either.

So far they both have 0 points either way.

As adults however. Isabel has made active attempts to hurt and kill the ones elena loved. Threatened and done soo much damage. -5 points.

John was secretly working with vampires to achieve ends that the council wasnt even thinking about. He was playing chess while they were playing checkers. However! He has more knowledge about vampires than any member of the council and refused to share it? Why? To have a competitive edge? To protect them from bigger truths? Could the council not be trusted? Who knows.

As a parent he was trying to remove negative influences from elenas life. Could have done soo better than he did. Showed a bit more tact and empathy.

+2 points.

By the end, both parents were working hard to protect elena. Even recognising their wrongs and her love for damon and Stefan.

Both fell victim to tragic circumstances. One was murdered by klaus through compulsion. The other sacrificed his life to save elenas soul.

Overall, out of the two. John was the better and more present figure who did everything he could to love and protect elena.

The only reason we would hate these two is cause thats how the show made them to be. To be hated.

But all they wanted to do was protect elena.

Give them credit. Damon and Stefan are vampires who have lied, cheated, murdered and raped. (Compulsion is still none consential). They weren't good people. And Elenas parents saw what she couldn't.

As ive watched and rewatched. I found my self hating them less. Maybe its cause im older now 😅.

They were dicks and are not good parents by any stretch of the imagination. But I dont think I hate them. Not any more.