Men can be very interesting. Particularly the so-called dominants/alphas (
You must be registered for see links
, lol I find that definition funny, if not partially true). They can be very confrontational, as long as every other male isn't equally or more confrontational than they. I've always questioned courage, when that courage relies on the opposition being intimidated. In fact, I often wonder if the act of intimidation can be classified as a form of cowardice. It is most often used as a scare tactic, to try and
avoid conflict. Though, we can probably get into a long argument of why avoiding conflict isn't necessarily a sign of cowardice, and I'm sure there would be many points I agree on. However, it doesn't help the case of these dominants/alphas (and I'm aware that this behavior is apparent in animals). Brave because you don't fear nothing/anyone, or brave because you don't fear anyone less brave than you? I wonder how many that act out these roles, would get along in a world where every other male is guaranteed to act as if their name is Jesus and they can come back from the dead anytime they pleased. Of course, intimidation doesn't always come in the form of brute strength as I am seemingly implying, but in the form of verbal communication, rowdy behavior, or a display of intelligence (older, 'mature' individuals who practice the alpha role may fit this form of intimidation).
A concept of a tough guy that counts on others being afraid is an iffy one.
My point is, being a bad-ass isn't all what it's cracked up to be. It is easier to break a few rules of a person who loves you, and know will always be there for you, than a person who has no feelings for you, and is ordering you around with a gun pointed to your head, literally or symbolically. Also, most seem to do this because of the expectations of others (in your example, females). In such a case, the rebellious behavior and the bad-ass title must be called into question.
Say that I gave a long list that would classify one as a badass, and the further down the list, the easier the task. How much of a badass would that person be if they chose the one at the ending? Now, take that list and make it an invisible one, one that resides within the heart and mind of each bad-ass. I wonder how many are simply going with the most easy one just so they can get laid, or obtain some other benefit. I'd also call that submission to peer pressure - smoking, drinking, and disobeying parents to seem like a badass. It defeats the purpose of calling yourself badass and independent if you're going to simply follow a bunch of other people's way of thinking. In fact, when one gets older, I guess it's like a second life. In the first life, the parents was all they knew, and their opinions was pretty much the only thing that mattered. In the second life, everyone outside the family has become very important, because now the young man will be spending a lot of their life out in the world. This means when they don't fit in, submission is often the option they choose. This perspective, is basically suggesting that we're only getting rebellious to our parents, because we're needing them less and less, but conforming in to outside pressure because we're 'needing' them more and more. I wouldn't call that bad-ass, not that this term should have any relevance in the matter.
These girls you're referencing must obviously be young-minded. Also, if I was getting my way the whole time (which you stated you were), I wouldn't call myself a bad-ass (nor pay any mind to anyone who said I am) if I stood up to my parents once they started getting more controlling, since a huge factor probably comes from me being so open with them over the years.
Another thing is, you're speaking about all this badass and tiger stuff, and if this attitude shows in your behavior when you're around your parents, then they probably see that as influence from your peers. And they can't be sure if your friends have your best interest in mind. I mean, if I had a kid, I'd most likely be the parent that would allow them lots of freedom, but if I started noticing they're acting so much like the kids around him/her and doing reckless things (though I'd like to think I'd be involved in their life enough to observe it before it even starts), I won't bite my tongue. Especially if it's a girl, since I'm a guy and know how guys can be. No, I don't think I should shape them into the way I want them to be, but I don't think others should be able to do as well, especially if they have him/her thinking she or he isn't cool/badass unless they're like them.
I'm with you on several points, especially the arranged marriage bit. However, let's drop all this stuff about being a bad-ass? That shouldn't have anything to do with a disagreement between parents and son/daughter. Let's not be childish about it.
To answer the question in the title (though, in a general perspective), simply because they took/take care of you. I wonder how many strangers with malicious intent we would have talked to, how many of us would be severely injured or worse messing around with kitchen appliances we were never taught not to, how many of us would still be pooping and peeing our pants because we were never taught about the potty, how many of us would have health problems because all we really cared to eat was candy, how many of us would be dead because we drank certain liquids that are not meant to be orally consumed, how many of us would have choked to death from putting small things into our mouths, etc. Then, there comes the time when one is ready for love and relationships, where the parents can give their advice since they're most likely more experienced than you are. Then there's all the shady business affairs that goes on in society, that a wet-behind-the-ears naive young man may not recognize. The next thing you know, he's owing someone so much money, or bought a car that looked too good for the price. Every guy in a suit that talks fast is pulling this young man's leg, so much so that this young man doesn't even have a leg to stand on anymore. I'm saying man, but the same can happen to a young woman as well. I'm sure there's many more examples I'm not accounting for.
As one gets older, they're obviously going to learn a lot themselves. That doesn't mean they should stop respecting their parents. One should listen to their parents when they're older not only because out of respect, but because there's not many in this world who has the benefit of having an outside view on a situation, yet handle's that person's interest with much care. There's not many you're going to be able to trust as much as your parents, I mean these are the people in life that you know has wiped your ass, cleaned your pee off floors, woke up in the wee hours of the night to attend to you, and was there for you during many embarrassing moments in your life, and were the ones that still thought you were cool during those embarrassing moments. And before you say it, I know there are abusive parents out there.
Also, the mere act of not listening to someone doesn't equal independence, unless you believe you're not free until you get a gun and shoot/kill someone. You have to operate within reason, and to paraphrase what I said earlier, I do agree that some parents can sometimes be unreasonable.
By the way, I highly suspect that you're trolling, but I couldn't help but post my thoughts on the subject, anyway. However, if you are being honest, I wish you luck in your endeavors. I would just have a long discussion with them, and if that's not going to be of any significance, I guess endure until you have a place of your own. The world is a place where kids are bullied for not fitting in, where outsiders are not welcomed into certain groups if their opinion is bizarre, a place where we keep our "ridiculous" thoughts and opinions to ourselves if we want to mix with society. One would think that in the home, the house of your parents, is the one place where you don't have to fear such ostracism. The place where you don't have to hear the same threats you hear from the mouths of uncaring strangers, "Get out and stay away from here". You should ask what importance there was in your birth, if you must pay for it with your freedom. And yada yada yada, simply put, I'd drag them into a deep conversation, and do my best to try to get them to understand their behavior. However, I wouldn't consider such a conversation if it was all about me having *** with countless people. However, for religious beliefs, career choices, etc. Definitely.
Remember though, listening to them is not only for honoring them and showing respect for all what they have done, but as shown in the earlier examples, can be for our own benefit as well.
InB4 cool story bro