Dealing with Anti-mod parents and general public. Is not at all, an easy task. I myself have to do it, you have to do it, all us modified people have to do it. So, any ways we can make it easier? Sometimes it seems like there is no possible way to take some of the crap people throw at us, but, in reality, there is. I will outline a few steps I think may help you in dealing with Anti-mod parents and public.
At A Glance Author Matthew Contact [email protected] IAM neverdinglust When N/A Tip 1. Don't give them a reason to single you out. If you do the right things, and there's no reason for them to single you out, then it will show horribly that they are just picking on you out of the group because you are modified. If you get good grades, participate in school activities, volunteer around the city, and do other such things, your mods may go un-noticed. Like wise, if you do badly in school, constantly skip off and get into trouble, they will just single you out. They will say you are a troubled kid, and that you're just a freak with piercings and tattoos.
Tip 2. Give educated responses to their questions. If someone asks you what your going to do with your mods when your 80, don't just simply tell them to "fuck off". This only gives them a terrible outlook on the modded community as a whole. If they ask such questions, respond respectfully. Tell them that when your 80 you'll do the exact same thing you do with your mods now, love them, and treat them as much a part of you as any other part of your body. If someone asks you why you chose to get your mods, don't get mad at them and flip them the bird. Tell them the actual reason behind why you got them. Maybe then they'll have some respect for the modded community. Seriously, if I was an unmodded individual and I asked someone a question and they flipped at me, I wouldn't have much respect for them either.
Tip 3. Be fair, if you expect the unmodded community to respect you, respect them too. If you don't give them the respect they deserve, why should they give you the respect you deserve? You want respect because you decided to be different, that doesn't mean they don't get respect for staying the same. If you think unmodded people are "lower" then you in any way, you're most likely going to get the same treatment in return. It works both ways.
Tip 4. This one is just about anti-mod parents. Let's face it, most parents are not very accepting to mods. I know my parents aren't. But fighting with them and yelling at them quite frankly isn't going to work. Be reasonable, try and explain why your mods mean so much to you, or why you want your next mod. If you do this instead of getting mad at them whenever the topic comes up, maybe you might get somewhere. If you explain your mods aren't just for attention as most parents assume they are, and that they are for personal reasons, and to show what you see yourself truly as, you've got a far greater chance of gaining both their permission, and their respect.
For example. Say your out in public, and someone approaches you and asks about your mods. For arguments sake we'll say you have some facial piercings, and 1" lobes. These would draw a bit of attention. If the person comes up and asks you why you got your mods, and you respond to them with a response such as " get away from me and leave me the fuck alone" then your probably going to give the whole modded community a bad reputation. But if in the same situation you were to respond to the person with a well dignified and respectful answer such as "I got my modifications and changed my body in such away because I see this as true beauty. I did not change myself for attention, or to fit in, I changed myself for me and me only." This person is very likely to walk away with a deep respect, for you, and the modded community on a whole. They will not think we are a bunch of criminals or whatever as such stereotypes go. They will have a newfound respect for us in our differences, and our likenesses to them.
In conclusion, I would like to say I have gone through all this stuff too. I know how it feels to be downgraded, mistreated, and even physically harmed for changing my body. My message to you through this editorial is a simple one: be strong, and hold your head high. Do not ever be ashamed of who you are. Do not let anyone make you second think you're self. If you do, you'll never truly be who you want. Think for yourself, and be an individual. The world needs more people like you. Thank you for you time, Matthew.