Education is so important, and if you have the finances to pursue university studies or receive a scholarship, you should take advantage of it. Unfortunately there are some cultures that don’t believe that women should attend school. There will always be people in those cultures who disagree, and one Redditor had a great-aunt who set aside money for all her female relatives to be used for their education.
However, the OP’s parents accessed those accounts and used the money set aside for the OP and her sister to pay for her brother’s wedding. Now, the OP is suing for that money and bringing shame on her family.
“My great-aunt set up savings accounts for all of her female relatives. In our culture education for women is not really valued and she thought that was bullsh*t. She lived with her father in London where she was educated. She went on to attend university and became a doctor She married a British man, they moved to America and had a great life. She funded the education of as many of her nieces and grand nieces as she could. When she passed away she left money for every girl relative she could.”
“My parents managed to access the accounts that were set up for my sister and I. They used it to pay for my brother’s wedding. My sister didn’t care because she got married two years out of high school and had no intention of going to college. When I graduated I went to the bank to get money for school and it was almost all gone. There was like $13,000 left.”
“I asked my parents about it and they said they had needed the money. I finally found out where the money went. I got furious. I got student loans and moved out. I am a great source of shame to them and I don’t give two f*cks.”
“I am currently suing them for the money that was left for me. My entire family is against me. They all think I am a complete a**hole for airing private family business in public. And that I am putting money ahead of family. My friends are all on my side but they are all Americans and don’t really get my culture. Neither do I to be honest.”
“My brother called me up and offered to pay for my university if I drop the lawsuit. I agreed as long as we had a legally binding contract. He said I was being an a**hole for not trusting him. I said he should not have accepted my money for his wedding. It is causing all kinds of embarrassment in our community. I am somewhat ashamed to be doing this but I don’t want to have this debt I should not have.”
Sue, sue, sue! Everyone deserves an education!
“NTA. Your parents didn’t borrow your money. They stole it. I hope you have all the documents to show that money was yours. Your brother is also the AH for trying to get you to drop a lawsuit with what is most likely a lie. If you have a chance to start life without student debt you do whatever you can to do that. Your parents , and I’m sorry but their culture, sound completely toxic. I’m glad you got out.” —
Timely-Ask-1327
“Noooooo, they think you are an a**hole for holding them accountable for their awful actions. They thought you would be a pushover, but you are showing them you’re not. Your great-aunt would be proud of you. And you aren’t the one putting money ahead of family. They did when they stole your money. They already showed you how little they think of you or respect you or love you as a family member when they screwed you over. NTA obviously.” —
Mopper300
“Wouldn’t be dirty laundry to air if they hadn’t sh*t on your education fund in the first place. You are under no obligation to be a compliant victim of theft and abuse. Those who pressure you are abusers as well.” —
curious382
“NTA Your parents and your brother had the opportunity to keep this a private matter when you told them you would sue them if they didn’t return the money or pay for your schooling. Since you have already been betrayed by family members you trusted, your brother should not be offended that you want a written contract.” —
kavk27
“You know…the fact the money was setup specifically so the FEMALES could get an education and then it was stolen to be used for a MALES wedding is just all kinds of extra messed up. NTA. Get your money OP!” —
BeenieGeenie
