Stigmatising fat people is harmful to them and us. Do you really want to cut him off because of his weight – or is there fear beneath your anger?
The dilemma My father, who I’ve always had a tricky relationship with, has been obese since I was a teenager. He was very sporty as a younger man, but since his 40s he has increasingly gained weight. He is now in his 60s and obese. I feel some guilt about feeling like this, but I find it disgusting and I hate being around him, especially when food is present.
I feel angry with him for putting his health at risk and I feel ashamed to be descended from someone with no self-control or self-respect. My mother has never been overweight and deserves a better husband. I have never introduced a partner to my parents, because I don’t want their opinion of me to be influenced by how my father is – one of my boyfriends at university once made negative comments about the issue and it really stuck with me. I know even if I marry that I’ll never have a family wedding because of this.
