AITA [18F] for telling my Dad [55M] it’s unfair he paid for my brother’s [23M] college tuition, but won’t pay for mine?
An 18-year-old’s college dreams hit a wall when her father, a pediatrician, refuses to fund her tuition at Ohio University, despite paying for her brother’s pricier education. His reasoning? She should focus on her looks to “marry well.” Her quiet protest about fairness gets brushed off, leaving her feeling like a second-class sibling.
Reddit’s buzzing with reactions, and the sting of favoritism cuts deep. This story dives into the raw tension of family inequality and outdated gender roles, pulling readers into a battle for fairness.
‘AITA [18F] for telling my Dad [55M] it’s unfair he paid for my brother’s [23M] college tuition, but won’t pay for mine?’
College plans shouldn’t spark family feuds, but this teen’s clash with her father exposes a painful divide. His refusal to fund her education, while covering her brother’s, reeks of favoritism and sexism, especially with his dismissive “marry well” advice. Her call-out, though restrained, voices a legitimate grievance about unequal treatment.
This reflects broader gender disparities in education. A 2023 UNESCO report notes that globally, girls are 10% less likely to receive parental support for higher education (source). Her father’s stance echoes outdated norms, undermining her ambitions.
Dr. Cordelia Fine, a gender studies expert, states, “Stereotypes about women’s roles limit their opportunities and reinforce inequality” (source). The teen’s father perpetuates this by prioritizing her brother. She should explore scholarships and part-time work to fund her education, proving her worth independently.
Check out how the community responded:
Reddit’s serving up a storm of opinions, hotter than a summer barbecue. Here’s what they had to say:
![[Reddit User] - NTA but your Dad is big time. He actually said you should focus on your looks and marry a well off man? I wouldn't want him near my child - he's living in the 19th century.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/230281c-08.png)
![Arthur_Bird - NTA. One time I offered \[not to have a thing because I felt like my brother needed more than I did\] and my dad said that as much as possible he wanted to give us the same advantages because he didn't want any resentment to grow up between us. Treating children equally is about more than just fairness - it's about preserving the relationship between them.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/230281c-09.png)
Talk about a family showdown! Reddit’s rallying behind the teen, but the father’s old-school views steal the spotlight. Is he stuck in the past, or is it really just his money, his rules? This tale’s a rollercoaster of fairness and frustration.
Family favoritism is like a bad song stuck in your head—hard to ignore and deeply unfair. The teen’s quiet stand against her father’s sexism sparked a heated debate, but did she cross a line, or is she right to demand equality? What would you do if faced with such blatant bias in your family? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep the convo going!
