AITA for saying something “Misogynistic”?

A teenager found herself in a confusing family argument after following medical advice given during a routine doctor’s visit. After noticing a change in her body, she consulted her doctor, who reassured her that everything looked normal but suggested performing monthly self-exams as a precaution.

While carrying out the recommended check at home, the teen’s grandmother unexpectedly walked into her room and misunderstood what was happening. The moment quickly escalated into a heated exchange about health, body image, and misunderstandings about women’s health practices. The teen later turned to a social network to ask whether she had done something wrong.

‘AITA for saying something “Misogynistic”?’

The teen begins by explaining the medical advice she received from her doctor.

I (15F) and grandma (72F) got in an argument and AITA? Last month I went to the OBGYN for a routine visit and I was concerned about my breasts, they...

But she told me to do a monthly b__ast self exam in case of anything. She told me how she wanted it done and told me to do it every...

While following the instructions, her grandmother unexpectedly walked into the room.

So today I did the self b__ast exam, to do it properly you have to take off your shirt and bra. I start to do it when my grandma busts...

She saw I was shirtless touching my b__ast and freaked out. I told her I was checking for anything weird in my b__ast and she told me she has never...

After explaining the medical reason, the conversation still turned into a heated argument.

She calmed down enough for me to explain why I was doing it, but then she said “Your going to get stretch marks and be ugly” i replied “Rather stretch...

she again flipped out on me and basically told me I was sexist and misogynistic because her mother had b__ast cancer (She didn’t...she had alopecia not cancer at all),

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and I wasn’t a true women for bringing others who had b__ast cancer down.. ATIA for doing a b__ast self exam?.

EDIT: First of all I genuinely did not know if I was an A__hole. I’m f__king 15 I barely can barely tell my rights and lefts apart so yes, when...

Second thank you for all the kind messages I woke up to 1.8k upvotes and over 90 notifications!! Thank you everyone!

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Third, we contacted my great uncle (Grandmas Brother) and he confirmed no one in their family ever had b__ast cancer. Her mom had alopecia.. Thank you so much for all...

Situations involving health education often reveal generational gaps in knowledge and comfort levels. Breast self-exams are widely recommended by many healthcare providers as a way for individuals to become familiar with their bodies and notice unusual changes early. For teenagers learning about their health, following medical guidance is generally considered responsible behavior.

However, older generations sometimes grew up with far less open discussion about women’s health. In some families, topics related to the body were rarely talked about, which can lead to confusion or embarrassment when they arise. When someone unexpectedly encounters a situation they do not understand, their reaction may be based on misunderstanding rather than intention.

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This story also highlights the importance of accurate health information. Misconceptions about the causes of stretch marks, cancer prevention, or medical self-exams can create unnecessary fear. Encouraging open conversations with healthcare professionals and family members can help bridge these gaps and ensure that younger people feel supported when learning to care for their health.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Many users strongly supported the teenager, saying she was simply following medical advice.

Torachi − NTA Uhhh. .. That's not how this works, grandma. That's not how any of this works. 🤦🏼‍♂️ You're definitely not the a__hole. Your grandmother is.

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[Reddit User] − NTA: I think your grandma confused.

anonymous053119 − WTF? Your gmas argument doesn’t even make sense- she should have agreed with “I’d rather have stretch marks than cancer” if she was trying to argue that b__ast...

Jerryjfunk − Of course NTA. Health is important and why would a self exam lead to stretch marks, anyway! ?

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urson_black − NTA. You're taking care of yourself and your health. Nothing impolite about it. It sounds like Grandma doesn't really know what the term means.

Other commenters focused on the confusion behind the grandmother’s reaction.

[Reddit User] − NTA. Also stretch marks come from rapid b__ast growth or weight gain, not from self-exams.

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It is neither sexist nor misogynistic to care about your own b__ast health. If anything it's the opposite -- an act of self-care and love for the body you reside...

HunterRoze − NTA - your grandmother sounds like she might need an evaluation considering her just totally out of whack response to a totally reasonable issue. Let's look at it...

your OBGYN gave you medical advice - you were following that advice - your grandmother freaks out because you are doing something to PREVENT THE ILLNESS HER MOTHER HAD!!!

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How is you taking preventative steps bringing anyone down? edit I get it OP - your great grandmother didn't have cancer,

but you grandmother thinks she did - and gets upset you are following the standard medical practice to check to see if b__ast cancer could be an issue. As I...

[Reddit User] − Alopecia is the hair loss thing. . How does that translate to b__ast cancer. .?

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Some users offered supportive and reassuring responses for the teenager.

[Reddit User] − You're definitely NTA. You're making sure that you're healthy and she is projecting her antiquated ways onto you.

[Reddit User] − NTA WHAT? Nothing she said makes any sense. I'm sorry she's shaming you because 1. even if it was s__ual, who cares? It's your body. You're not...

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2. You don't get stretch marks that way. That's just not how skin works. and 3. You did nothing wrong and said nothing wrong. You just said you'd rather not...

Nothing you said has anything to do with anyone but yourself. She over reacted and instead of apologizing she's doing anything she can to make you the bad guy. Don't...

This situation shows how misunderstandings about health topics can quickly turn into emotional disagreements, especially when people from different generations have different levels of knowledge about medical practices.

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The teen in this story followed advice given by a doctor, yet still found herself questioning whether she had done something wrong after a family argument. It raises an interesting question: how can families better communicate about health and body awareness without embarrassment or confusion? And when misunderstandings happen, what is the best way to clear them up?

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