Outrage over dad's 'cruel' punishment for teen daughter
By Georgia Weir|
Parents often find it difficult to dish out appropriate punishments to their kids.
One father took to Reddit to gauge whether a punishment he handed down to his daughter was justified - taking away her beloved pet.
"My 16-year-old daughter has a dog that she bought a couple months ago," he explained in his post. "Her mother and I said she could get one as long as she took care of him, paid for everything he needed and spent time with him."
READ MORE: Watch dad's hilarious reaction to ultrasound news
Things went well initially; "she potty trained him, took him on plenty of walks, paid for his vet bills and food, the whole nine yards". However, after a couple of months she got busier at school and work.
Enough was enough and I put my foot down
Since starting her final year of high school, the dad said she now works 25 to 30 hours a week at a fast-food restaurant and spends at least two hours a night on homework.
"Even though her dog never went in the house and seemed okay, I felt bad for him since she wasn't home as much as she used to be", the dad said. "I've raised countless dogs in my life and I know what is needed for a healthy, obedient dog. I was also worried she wouldn't be his 'alpha' which is absolutely necessary if she expected to take him with her when she moved out."
During the current summer break for American school students, the final straw came when the teenager started working extra hours at her job.
"Enough was enough and I put my foot down, insisting she give him up since she couldn't be bothered to make more time for him."
READ MORE: Is it OK to use a child leash?
While the teen argued with her dad for a long time, eventually she gave in and found a new owner for the dog, but is now understandably upset, as is his wife.
"She goes straight to her room after work and refuses to talk to me," he said before asking the forum if he was wrong to have the dog rehomed.
Reddit users were understandably outraged at the dad.
"You can't have it both ways; making her take full responsibility for the dog, including bills, and then forcing her to get rid of him," said one furious person.
Others pointed out the absurd hours the teenager was doing each week, "you also set her up for failure by making her pay for everything but also thinking she works too much".
READ MORE: Radio hosts in tears live on-air over mum's poem
Responding to the severe backlash, the original poster doubled-down saying that he is teaching his daughter to be a "responsible adult."
Users were also quick to point out the 'backwards' and 'toxic' assumption of the alpha theory in dogs.
"Dominance theory (and that "alpha" nonsense) has been pretty extensively debunked".
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
