Sana’s mother never raised her voice. There was no threat and no dramatic pressure. She simply kept saying, “We only want what is best for you. This is such a good family.” Every time Sana tried to explain that she did not feel ready, another good quality of the proposal was listed.
Pressure does not always look like force. Sometimes it looks like disappointment, repeated persuasion, silence, emotional withdrawal or the feeling that saying no will hurt the whole family.
Support without pressure
Parents naturally want to protect their children from a poor decision. But a useful test is simple: Can your son or daughter disagree with you without being punished emotionally? Can they say, “I don’t want to proceed,” and still feel respected at home?
Parents do not have to agree with every decision. They can ask questions, explain concerns and ask a child to think again. But at the end of that conversation, the candidate must still know that their answer matters.
