this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026
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me_irl
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That is a gigantic leap... 100% of the population would have many healthy reasons for being quieter than they normally are and the vast majority do not blow up in a violent rage afterwards.
This is exactly my issue with this post.
Once again, not the point. We can talk hypotheticals all you want but if we are to make a point, it would be best to make a clear one
Exactly... I don't think it's fair to paint these parents as abusive. Moreover, I do not think there is anything wrong (in this scenario) with kids noticing and trying to help. But this post would paint them as abusive and the child's natural empathy as a toxic defense mechanism
Indeed it was too specific, but so was the post... a cabinet slam and/or a father being quiet is a far cry from symptoms of an abusive household
From the narrative, sure. But that's the cliche they're leaning on.
I agree. Like I said, "Jaws Music". The post is supposed to imply a lot more than they're willing to make explicit.
The point of the post is to simulate the feeling of looming dread, then use the emotional response to build empathy with the kid in the story.
This is all allegorical. "These parents" aren't anyone specific. The implication is that the kid in the story is staving off abuse. But, as we've both noted, it's also possible the kid in question is comforting parents who are - themselves - the victims of abuse or neglect.
"Walking on eggshells" implies a consequence if you don't. The consequence could be a parent flying into a rage. It could also be a parent breaking into tears or falling into a fugue state. "I'm trying to avoid getting beaten by my parents" tells a very different story than "I'm trying to prevent my mom/dad from breaking down into a puddle of tears".
Implies a high degree of tension.