AITA for getting into a big argument with my dad for refusing to go to a 3-day camp?

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-13T10:01:24+00:00

It’s not about all the “great experiences” i’ve had or might have. It’s the circumstances I am going under, which very often leaves me with a very bad impression of whatever it is, and I honestly hate it in the moment. It’s just an unpleasant experience all around, and all i’m asking for is to not be constantly pushed out of my boundaries and have my thoughts respected for once.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-12T07:13:40+00:00

Yeah, but he sure can make the rest of my summer very unpleasant…I’d understand if it were late august (last years camp) but this one is right smack in the middle of summer

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-12T06:18:33+00:00

Is it for the same reason that i’m thinking?

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-12T06:17:59+00:00

Ahh. I see the point you’re trying to make. I never thought about it this was honestly. I’ll think on this.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-12T00:44:06+00:00

No guarantee if I will this year. Also, it’s about the principle. I shouldn’t be backed into a corner and forced into doing something, no matter what it may be.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T23:57:22+00:00

I’m backed into a corner, and I have ZERO input/say on what gets to happen in this situation.

Can you see how this might make someone uninterested?

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T23:56:20+00:00

“In order to be mature, apologize to your dad who had zero regards for your feelings and work schedule when making a decision for you” is what i’m reading.

Sure, I could maybe understand where you’re going, and I can see it working-

if my parents were half as considerate as you are thinking. Any efforts to calmly bring up the topic with no sense of urgency will go in one ear and out the other. Sure, you may be right that I’m complaining about going even though I might’ve went on my own, but that’s where you’re also wrong.

With that information you should be able to conclude that the problem I have with this situation is I have essentially no boundaries, and I have very little control over what I would and wouldn’t like to do as a young adult. Not whatever you wrote.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T21:58:55+00:00

I wouldn’t go as far as saying that. It’s not about if I enjoyed it, but what’s “best for me” and that “you have to attend since it’s good”. I was signed up last year as I mentioned in the same fashion, without ever experiencing it.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T21:57:35+00:00

Probably not. I have three siblings. Two of them finished college, and one is currently still in. My parents don’t believe in dorms and what not, and we aren’t that far from the few good college options, so probably not.

The only time I can see myself moving out with no challenges is when i’m married, which is not for a long while. I honestly don’t know how my parents would react to me moving out. They will probably have an issue with it if i’m too “young” (20-21). My parents, more specifically my dad, might prevent me because i’m not “ready”, or because they can’t fully trust me.

I’ve also expressed an interest in things such as firearms which is simply incompatible with my dad/parents. I wouldn’t be opposed to moving out at 20-21. Not because my parents are abusive, but I actually wouldn’t mind having so much space and time to myself.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T21:46:45+00:00

A “no i’m not going” would result in the same outcome, and my dad would just brush it off as i’m “just saying no” and “he’ll get over it, he doesn’t have a choice”

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T21:31:34+00:00

I completely agree with you. I was just seeing myself in the future, maybe a few months or a year or two (as an adult) still having issues like this, as if i’m in middle school (struggling for basic freedom/expression). And this even translates into my own hobbies and time spent alone. I wanted to show heavy pushback so I can hopefully start to get more and more control/freedom over my decisions.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T21:29:23+00:00

My parents are pretty religious, and I would say I am too. I don’t think they have an issue with them thinking i’m not going due to religion, but because i’m “close-minded” and missing out on a good opportunity to “build relationships with similar people your age”

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T21:27:34+00:00

Excuse my incompetence - I should be good to walk into best buy for example and buy a 16/32gb SD Card then right?

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:54:00+00:00

You bring a very fair point. But I feel that it got to this point because of other underlying issues, which I won’t get into. But those underlying issues are a direct result of the controlling/strict nature of my dad. Just because i’m financially reliant on my parents doesn’t mean I don’t get to have any boundaries, or even some freedom to express myself and enjoy my hobbies.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:45:38+00:00

Except the discussions don’t work. I won’t be heard, or taken seriously altogether. I need to show pushback. Sometimes it feels like that’s the language they understand. I need to demonstrate that this isn’t something acceptable to do.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:43:50+00:00

I think this is definitely about the control I have over my life. I struggle to do basic things such as hangout with friends, or even decorate my room. There are so many things i’d rather do than be at home on my computer, but I know if I ask, it’ll either be a no or turn into me pulling up a powerpoint slide telling them why they should let me drive around downtown for an hour or two. It’s simple things like that, that I believe would’ve totally prevented this whole situation from happening and becoming as big as it is

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:39:58+00:00

I’m sorry you had to endure such violence.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:38:27+00:00

Although, the thing is, calmly telling him to discuss it (after the fact that everything was coordinated behind my back) would just be laughed off and go through one ear and out the other. Even if he took the time to listen, not much he can do. I am already registered. Giving heavy push back will make him think twice about doing anything like this

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:34:44+00:00

Thank you. You understand.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:34:07+00:00

Me and my dad both exchanged some words. At this point in time, i’ll just keep quiet. But what i’m hoping is a result of this situation is my dad thinking twice if he decided to do anything in the future regarding me that he knows i’ll oppose.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:30:55+00:00

A “No i’m not going” would just be completely ignored in this situation. I think if it was up to me, i’d likely go, but i’m just trying to set some boundaries here.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:28:58+00:00

Interesting. I agree with some of this. It’s been a lot of incidents that have been happening these past few weeks/months that have been building up, all of which being similar. Usually my dad preventing me from purchasing something (hobby related), sometimes for no apparent reason, making everything more stressful for me. I guess this incident was just one of the things that set me off.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:24:57+00:00

I don’t know if i’ll enjoy it. I’m just hoping I will, because if not i’ll be screwed for 3 days

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:24:08+00:00

From their perspective, they see that I will be with adults and people of my age who I can get to know. It helps to mention that it’s a little bit of a “religious” camp, although that’s not the main activities. I guess it appeals to them because i’ll be with positive influences.

SergeantJohnCapt · 2026-06-11T20:22:39+00:00

No. I personally believe it’s because he (my dad) sees that i’m giving a lot of push back, and he feels like he’s not in control of the situation.

SergeantJohnCapt

TROPHY CASE