In the book Diet Cults, Matt Fitzgerald said its interesting to note that pleasure eaters of both types, whether you're a foodie or a junk foodie, they tend to eat more or less the same way their parents did. Thats interesting thats very similar to like religion and politics. Most people and you may argue this about yourself but let's just break down the ego. Let's not be trapped in one of the 25 cognitive biases which is called Pain Avoiding Delusion Bias. What politics, diet and religion do you naturally lean towards? For most people, but not all, the he apple wasn't strayed far from the tree. We tend to think that we're our own person, Dr. Hellen Fisher call this your mental map.
I'm fairly different from my parents. It actually troubles me when I'm similar to them politically. But then, I don't understand why they vote how they do. I think they vote Conservative but then, they're not really all that right leaning in their views. I think it's more that they don't like Labour. I'm not too sure why though.
I don't vote at all. I simply don't trust any of them! I hope I'm more left than right leaning though, in terms of my views. I have inherited prejudices though- from my parents. I have to work hard to keep them in check.
My parents are religious. My step family more orthodox in a way. We were more just vaguely spiritual growing up. So- not really bible studies and church but, a belief in heaven and morals. I lean towards atheism now. I'd prefer to be a convinced atheist but there are some lingering uncertainties with regards to God, afterlife etc.
Diet- wise, we were always pretty bad with snacks and nice puddings but, all my family cooked and made sure we ate proper meals. I'm generally awful with diet. It's all about convenience. I try to make slightly healthier choices sometimes but I don't eat properly.
I think whether we are like our parents depends on our relationship with them and, our childhood. If we find ourselves feeling rebellious towards them. Or, we find their teachings have caused us harm as well as good, we may well go on to vehemently reject them.
Maybe part of my rejection of religion was developing ideation young. Hearing that suicides went to hell was therefore unsettling! But then- I suppose it made me really question my own beliefs. Were they in fact my beliefs? No- as it happens.
I also think it depends on what kinds of associations we build with things. So- someone I know actually enjoys housework because, when they were young, their Mum worked a lot so- they were so grateful to have the help. They had built such positive associations with it that that continued. I think the reverse can also happen.
If on the other hand, meal times say were more of a sufferance. You had to eat at certain times. You had to eat certain things. Arguments flared up over meal times- all that gives us negative associations. So, when we get the freedom to choose, we can run a bit wild!
I've known even greater extremes actually. Someone I knew was always late for stuff. Literally anything- social things, even official things. Turns out a close relative of theirs had died fairly young- likely from a stress related illness. So- it's like that had become a phobia of being stressed for them- which mannifested in being late for everything!
I suppose all that makes it so important to give children a calm, supportive environment. Otherwise, they may rebel against things that were actually doing them good- like having a proper diet.
It's fascinating though- considering what causes us to rebel. I have 'The Crown' on in the background- about the British Royal Family. Throughout history, we've often had one very straight laced, diligent, serious, dutiful sibling and one that goes off the rails. So- I think there's that dynamic going on too. Maybe because the more straight laced one is being given more attention- often because they are in line for the throne. So- the other plays up to get the attention back on them. Isn't there that observation of the second child sometimes being like that?
I don't vote at all. I simply don't trust any of them! I hope I'm more left than right leaning though, in terms of my views. I have inherited prejudices though- from my parents. I have to work hard to keep them in check.
My parents are religious. My step family more orthodox in a way. We were more just vaguely spiritual growing up. So- not really bible studies and church but, a belief in heaven and morals. I lean towards atheism now. I'd prefer to be a convinced atheist but there are some lingering uncertainties with regards to God, afterlife etc.
Diet- wise, we were always pretty bad with snacks and nice puddings but, all my family cooked and made sure we ate proper meals. I'm generally awful with diet. It's all about convenience. I try to make slightly healthier choices sometimes but I don't eat properly.
I think whether we are like our parents depends on our relationship with them and, our childhood. If we find ourselves feeling rebellious towards them. Or, we find their teachings have caused us harm as well as good, we may well go on to vehemently reject them.
Maybe part of my rejection of religion was developing ideation young. Hearing that suicides went to hell was therefore unsettling! But then- I suppose it made me really question my own beliefs. Were they in fact my beliefs? No- as it happens.
I also think it depends on what kinds of associations we build with things. So- someone I know actually enjoys housework because, when they were young, their Mum worked a lot so- they were so grateful to have the help. They had built such positive associations with it that that continued. I think the reverse can also happen.
If on the other hand, meal times say were more of a sufferance. You had to eat at certain times. You had to eat certain things. Arguments flared up over meal times- all that gives us negative associations. So, when we get the freedom to choose, we can run a bit wild!
I've known even greater extremes actually. Someone I knew was always late for stuff. Literally anything- social things, even official things. Turns out a close relative of theirs had died fairly young- likely from a stress related illness. So- it's like that had become a phobia of being stressed for them- which mannifested in being late for everything!
I suppose all that makes it so important to give children a calm, supportive environment. Otherwise, they may rebel against things that were actually doing them good- like having a proper diet.
It's fascinating though- considering what causes us to rebel. I have 'The Crown' on in the background- about the British Royal Family. Throughout history, we've often had one very straight laced, diligent, serious, dutiful sibling and one that goes off the rails. So- I think there's that dynamic going on too. Maybe because the more straight laced one is being given more attention- often because they are in line for the throne. So- the other plays up to get the attention back on them. Isn't there that observation of the second child sometimes being like that?
I'm the polar opposite of my parents. I eat fast food, Ramen, or mac and cheese almost every meal, while they eat nuts and meats and vegetables. They are both extremely right wing Conservatives and I'm a left wing Democratic Socialist. They are part of a Pentecostal cult, and I got out and am atheist now. But we find common ground to talk about.
heywey
Member
- Aug 28, 2025
- 46
My parents divorced when I was young, and they're pretty different as far as lifestyle and beliefs. In practical things I tend toward my dad, we both favor simple and healthy meals with some salty snacks, and we also both prefer minimalist living, have an eye for mechanics, things like that. My mom and I are much more aligned politically and philosophically, vaguely center leaning and spiritual but not religious. I get along well with my mom, not so much my dad.
I don't have any data or anything to back this up, but I think over time (the past ~50 years, anyway) people have generally become less aligned with their parents when it comes to beliefs, but more aligned when it comes to more physical things like mannerisms and diet. Children are increasingly exposed to new ideas and viewpoints at a young age through mass media, lessening the impact of parental guidance on those things. But at the same time, more and more kids are being raised exclusively by their parents with minimal deep connections outside of the immediate family; they aren't going to each other's houses and eating unfamiliar food, or staying with relatives, nowadays it's not uncommon for kids' only in-person social exposure to be school.
I don't have any data or anything to back this up, but I think over time (the past ~50 years, anyway) people have generally become less aligned with their parents when it comes to beliefs, but more aligned when it comes to more physical things like mannerisms and diet. Children are increasingly exposed to new ideas and viewpoints at a young age through mass media, lessening the impact of parental guidance on those things. But at the same time, more and more kids are being raised exclusively by their parents with minimal deep connections outside of the immediate family; they aren't going to each other's houses and eating unfamiliar food, or staying with relatives, nowadays it's not uncommon for kids' only in-person social exposure to be school.
My food addiction is not similar to any part of my parents' dietary habits or penchants. I'm somewhat marginalized from the establishmentarian political spectrum and that, along with some of my vague political positions, is similar to one of my parents. The similarity isn't total though. Some of the bases are the same but the endpoints are wildly divergent. As for other stuff like hobbies, intellectual pursuits or social behaviour I would say I'm quite different aside from a parent being anxious/timid and, again, a parent being marginalized. So overall I would say there are some similar starting points and threads but the end results are different.
