AITA for leaving a family gathering because my family made me sit at the kid table?

Family gatherings are supposed to be a time of joy and connection, but what happens when outdated family traditions turn an adult into a glorified babysitter? One Reddit user (22M) found himself in an awkward situation when he was forced to sit at the “kid table” at a family picnic. Was he being petty, or was his family out of line?

‘AITA for leaving a family gathering because my family made me sit at the kid table?’

Dr. Emily Carter, a family dynamics expert, explains: “While it’s common for families to have traditions regarding seating arrangements, forcing a legal adult to sit with young children solely due to their childless status is both outdated and dismissive. It infantilizes young adults and can lead to unnecessary conflicts.”

From a psychological standpoint, OP’s frustration is entirely justified. “Seating arrangements should be about social compatibility, not arbitrary age or parental status,” Dr. Carter continues. “Forcing OP to sit with literal children not only disregards his maturity but also likely places him in an involuntary babysitting role.”

Furthermore, the aunt’s comment that younger adults have “nothing to contribute” is particularly dismissive. Many young adults have careers, education, and perspectives that are just as valuable as those of older family members.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit users overwhelmingly declared OP NTA (not the a**hole), with many pointing out the absurdity of the aunt’s logic. A few Redditors suggested that OP could have stayed and taken the high road, but most agreed that standing up for himself was the right choice.

So, was OP the bad guy for leaving? Not at all. Arbitrary rules that diminish someone’s autonomy and independence can feel humiliating, especially when enforced with no room for discussion. He made a stand for his self-respect, even if it meant an awkward family fallout.

But what do you think? Have you ever been placed in an infantilizing situation by family traditions? Would you have stayed or made a similar exit? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!