Challenged My Dad

I still can recall this memory that once I challenged my father’s belief. The result was not pleasant, because of the punishment which came afterwards. However, I have never regretted.

There was a day, after school just like normal days, my father asked me about what I learnt from the class. I replied him with my prepared answers. And then, as usual he asked me about more details. I told him from course to course. Finally we came to Morality and Philosophy material, and I casually mentioned about one specific idea that my teacher taught me that day, which was also written in the text book. It said “persons’ character can be somewhat altered in the future by the environment which is distinguished from the family background.”

As confidant as I could, I explained him the idea the way how the teacher did in the class. But I noticed his face getting serious, he chuckled and responded me, “What? It can be true”, with a stronger voice, he added, “Person’s character can’t be changed in the future”, as he continued, “Your family decides your character.” I could feel by that time, how rigid it sounded. As a 12-year-old little girl, it was my first time I determined to try to debate with my father.

I responded him, “Dad, but I think persons’ future behaviors can be influenced by the environment”, with more detailed, I added, “and your behaviors can somehow change your character.”

Certainly, after hearing that I was disagreed with him, he got irritable. He kept repeating what he believed, and tried to convert me. However, surprisingly, I persisted in my point of view.

That day by challenging his belief, no wonder, I ended up with a bad punishment. My father was like my mayor childhood authority, it was not easy for me at all. Nevertheless, I have never regretted. On the contrary, I still insist on what I believe.