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A parent has been slammed online after not purchasing their daughter a car for her 21st birthday, even though she doesn't have a license.
Published on Reddit's r/AmITheA**hole forum, a parent under the username u/381839 shared their story to receive feedback from the "AITA" community. The viral post has nearly 3,000 upvotes and over 500 comments.
The original poster (OP) began their story by explaining that they bought their son a car for his 21st birthday since he got his license at 16. However, when their daughter turned 21, she was upset that her parents didn't buy her a car. Her parent argued that they wouldn't buy her a car since she doesn't have her license.
"I don't understand why she wants a car anyway when it can't even be used," OP concluded.
Newsweek reached out to u/381839 for comment.
How to prepare your teen for their driver's test
Is your teen planning on taking their driver's test soon? Here's what you can do to prepare them to pass on their first try, according to State Farm:
- Teach your teen about the vehicle and where the controls are including the dashboard controls, steering wheel, mirror and seat adjustments, turn signals, headlights, wipers, emergency lights, parking break and release, turning the engine on and off and the gas and brake pedals;
- Teach your teen to be aware of their surroundings by checking the mirrors, looking ahead and to the sides and scanning for hazards;
- To get your teen used to the road, begin in low-speed and low-traffic areas;
- Make sure your teen knows the beginner checklist during their practice, including knowing how to brake and accelerate smoothly, how to approach intersections, maintain the speed limit, drive in a school zone, use turning lanes and determine the right of way;
- When your teen aces the beginner checklist, ease them into learning the advanced checklist including merging into traffic, identifying road signs and exits and navigating toll booths.
Newsweek has published several articles regarding families, including a woman's family vacation hell on day three with her in-laws, a family blasted online for their "disgusting" reaction to a woman's noticeable weight loss and an upset father receiving support online after his daughter doesn't want to go on "dates" with him anymore.
Redditor reactions
OP responded to some Redditors in the comment section after being called out for not helping their daughter learn how to drive.
"[You're the a**hole]. OP fails to mention until he's pressed in comments several times that he taught his son to drive, paid for driving lessons and helped his son get to the registry for the test. He refused to do so for his daughter because he was 'busy'. This guy is an a**hole with a favorite child, his son," u/ThreeDogs2022 said, receiving the top comment of over 13,000 upvotes.
In response, OP wrote, "I didn't refuse. I offered to help her about a year ago."
One commenter asked if they offered their daughter the same treatment that their son got when he got his license. OP responded, "I couldn't because I had some problems at that time and I was very busy but she has been an adult for 3 years. She should have learned by now."
OP said in another comment that when they ask their daughter if she wants to learn how to drive, she "makes excuses" that she's busy with work or school and blames them for not teaching her.
"Was going to say [not the a**hole, but then I read the comments. You judge her for 'putting off' learning, but she works long hours and is likely busy. The same excuse you gave to a CHILD. Imagine telling your children you're too busy to treat them equally. [You're the a**hole] and I don't blame her for living 16 hours away, you clearly favor your son," u/jewishspacelazzer wrote.
U/NorthwestPassenger said, "[You're the a**hole]. Despite your story and additional comments, this isn't about a car in your daughter's mind. This is about a relationship that you severely damaged, fail to acknowledge the damage or hurt you caused, and now seek vindication from redditors that haven't read all of your comments."
"You are an a**hole for making time and money available for your son and denying both to your daughter," they continued. "You are an a**hole for willfully refusing to understand that working 9 hours a day AND attending college isn't an excuse it is an explanation. You are an a**hole for failing to provide emotional support to your daughter. She knows she can't drive a car but asked for one anyhow, why do you think that is."
About the writer
Ashley Gale is a Newsweek reporter based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her focus is reporting on trends. She has covered trends, ... Read more