This story is about Roger, a man who faced an unexpected and challenging situation with his elderly father over the very modern dilemma of social media content. Let’s take a look at his predicament.
Distance in Perspectives
At the age of 46, Roger had always known the vast distances that separated him from his father – not just in miles, but in perspectives as well.
Generation Gap in a Digital Age
They had been living far away from each other for the majority of Roger’s adult life.
Social Media’s Surprising Role in Bridging Family Distances
The physical distance never seemed like a concern until the virtual world, particularly social media, bridged that gap and revealed their differing views and values.
A Clash of Values
At 70 years old, Roger’s father was certainly not the stereotypical senior citizen when it came to technology.
When Personal Views Go Public
He saw social media platforms not just as tools for keeping in touch, but as platforms to air and share his personal views, no matter how controversial they might be.
The older man viewed these platforms as his stage to voice opinions, and he did so with gusto!
Unmasking Hidden Views
Unfortunately, Roger often found himself aligning with the groups his father openly mocked and ridiculed online.
When Roger stumbled upon a series of his misleading and mocking posts about current issues, he couldn’t remain silent.
Roger Confronted His Father
It was one thing to know your parent had different views, but it was entirely another to see them laid out, stark and unapologetic, in the public domain. It felt personal.
Roger decided to address one such post directly, leading to a string of exchanges that would alter their relationship.
The Unsettling Revelation
In the course of their conversation, a shocking revelation came to light.
Roger’s father confessed he had been deliberately concealing these posts from Roger for months.
His reasoning? He believed that Roger was “VERY” in sync with the groups and views he ridiculed, and he didn’t want to hurt his son’s feelings.
Hurtful Deception
This gesture, however well-intentioned it might have seemed to the father, felt sneaky to Roger.
Roger’s Difficult Decision
Frustrated and hurt, Roger made the decision to disconnect from his father online.
He removed him from his social media, and sadly soon after, they stopped communicating entirely.
The Emotional Weight
Some time later, Roger mustered the courage to address the issue once more, stating how hurtful it was to know his father was speaking ill of “people like him” behind his back.
His father’s response was dismissive.
He brushed off Roger by saying that it wasn’t about Roger’s feelings at all.
Family Ties Tested
While the day-to-day implications of this separation might seem minor, the emotional weight was a lot for Roger.
He struggled with the idea of keeping a relationship with someone who held such negative views about groups Roger identified with and who was so open about it online.
Disconnecting Online
This wasn’t just any person; this was his father.
But could he really maintain a relationship with someone who, knowingly or unknowingly, mocked and belittled a part of who Roger was, especially when that someone felt no remorse in sharing those opinions publicly?
He shared his story with Reddit and asked if he was in the wrong for cutting off communication with his dad.
Navigating Family Relationships Online
Redditors had their say on Roger’s situation, and their responses reflected a unanimous sentiment.
Many chimed in with the assertion that he was absolutely not a jerk, and they emphasized the importance of personal boundaries, even when it came to family.
One rule of wisdom was frequently shared: never actively engage on social media platforms where your parents are present.
Cutting Off Communication
One Redditor noted that disagreements are normal between families, but there’s no obligation to associate with people who hold views that cross personal lines, even if they’re family members.
The Importance of Setting Boundaries With Family
One user said, “NTA. I went through this with my mom. We are still not friends on social media, and whenever we talk, anything politics related is banned from discussion. It’s not the same relationship we used to have, but we at least still have a relationship.”
The Complex Dynamics of Family and Social Media
Social media connects us but sometimes exposes differences we’d rather not confront.
In an age where online platforms give us the power to express ourselves, it’s crucial to remember that our interactions can impact our relationships in unexpected ways.
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The post Father-Son Social Media Showdown: How Politics Tore Them Apart, Leaving One Son with a Heartbreaking Decision first appeared on Mama Say What?!.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / fizkes. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Reddit
