February 1, 2025 at 2:55 am

Son Took A Different Path Than His Welder And Doctor Siblings, So When He Asked For Advice His Dad Told Him To Use His Looks

by Mila Cardozo

Source: Reddit/AITA/Pexels/GabrielaPereira

Every person has to choose their path in life once they finish school. But it’s no easy task.

In this case, a father shares how he put his foot in his mouth when he told his son “good thing you’re pretty” while trying to help him decide what to do next.

But is he is really in the wrong for saying it?

Let’s analyze the situation.

AITA for telling my son it’s a good thing he’s pretty?

My wife and I have four kids. The first two are a welder and a doctor. My middle son just graduated with a degree in Dance. Our youngest is studying engineering.

My son is still living at home trying to figure out his future.

We were talking about it and he said he wants to move out so he can live how he wants instead of by my insane rules.

He literally has a few rules, but apparently they’re too difficult to follow.

Those rules are 1. Be self-supporting after you graduate. 2. Help with chores as long as you live at home. 3. Be respectful and quiet when you have “guests” over.

Those are too much for him.

He went to my wife and said that he wanted some help so he could move out. She backed my rules.

She also expects him to get a job, help around the house, and follow rule 3.

But his son is still confused.

He came back to me asking how I expected him to make a living.

We had both talked to him about getting a degree that had more prospects and maybe doing a minor in dance.

Our daughter who is a doctor did her undergrad in music. But she also took premed classes and rocked her MCAT.

He says that he didn’t want to do that. He wants me to tell him what to do. I am just kind of lost.

He was at a loss on how to help him… So he ended up saying something out of his pocket.

So I told him it’s a good thing he’s pretty.

All I meant is that he is a tall, athletic, handsome young man. With a degree.

He can find an entry-level position and work his way up. Many successful people have.

He took it to mean that I thought he should marry well and be a kept man.

His other mom and him are mad at me for undervaluing his potential. I think I was being realistic.

AITA?

Ouch. Now his son will probably always feel insecure about his IQ. He could have handled this better.

Let’s see if Reddit has any insight into this situation.

A reader shares their thoughts.

Source: Reddit/AITA

A valid point.

Source: Reddit/AITA

Yup.

Source: Reddit/AITA

Another reader chimes in.

Source: Reddit/AITA

This person also thinks he is not in the wrong.

Source: Reddit/AITA

This could work.

Source: Reddit/AITA

Tough love might help to an extent.

But if he really meant to say something nice, he could have phrased it differently.

If you liked that post, check out this post about a rude customer who got exactly what they wanted in their pizza.