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[Blondie_Usagi]

Ok,my family so friggin' stupid.They keep saying cosplayers are les,they have no life,they're ugly,they probably have no education,and other bad stuff(thats why they won't let me cosplay).And I know that cosplaying is the only way I can have acting/singing experience because my mom and dad won't let me try out at the Little Theatre because its for rich kids(which it is not,it's very cheap)

What do you think I should tell them to make them stop the insults and to just let me cosplay just once.

[FoxPhyre]

first off, regardless of what you think is best for you and whatnot, you shouldnt talk that way about your family unless they really do bad things, such as drugs or stuff... if they feed you and love you, remember that and be gratefull. im not trying to make you feel bad, its just that you never know why your family thinks the way they do...they have their reasons... now as far as insulting something you portray as your group of people and them not letting you cosplay or act at the local theatre, that i dont agree with. but that is still up to your parents as they are you guardians and your not quite old enough to be emancipated... just wait a few more years and youll be fine... remember this is louisiana after all... and people down here are naturally intolerant to cultures other than coon-ass... thats the way it is.. i hope that you dont lose interest in cosplay because of the insults, and i hope you get a chance to act if thats what you want to do... soon you will be in high school and you will get the chance to participate in theatre classes. (that is asssuming your birthdate is correct on your profile) i hope that you stay a part of this board as it can help you build your interest in all things cosplay. just be patient and wait for your time to shine and all will be well....

[DigitalCactus]

Alot of people riddicule(sp?) what they don't understand or have an interest in. Alot of cosplayers are struggling college students balancing their studies and sometiems their jobs to try and get ahead in the world. Cosplay is simply a hobby which most non-anime fans make fun of and will probably never understand. You can't please everyone. It's a fact of life.

Just let them know that its what you enjoy and that it won't get in the way of the important things in your life. Everyone needs to vent their agressions and explore their interests somehow.. cosplay just happens to be your outlet. If they dont like it, then why try to impress them? Do it for yourself, not others. Design/create/build your costumes knowing that there are plenty of others who will appreciate all your hard efforts. I say, f**k the nay-sayers!

[BlueLady]

let your parents know that there are several of us here that are college graduates pulling in a very nice living that cosplay because we like the challange of creating and the fun of being in costume. Most the people I run into at cons are college students that are alarmingly talented and creative.

[Blondie_Usagi]

my nanny is the only one that said I should try my best to cosplay because it would make my sewing skills better and stuff.But my cousin when through all my private stuff and found cosplaying plans,costume plans,and other cosplaying stuff,he took that and showed just about everyone at school so now I'm almost alone,I have only a few friends.And then my mom told me to not have anything to do with sailor moon so I had to get rid of all my good sailor moon(thats was the only anime I knew) drawings I've been having since I was about 9.I'm called names and everytime I read fanfics on the computer my sister come up and say 'You better stop reading that sailor moon(and I'm reading someting WAY different)or looking at that sailor moon convention shit' and I try to ignore them all but their stuck up my arse no matter what I do.

[BlueLady]

how old are you? My parents tried to treat me like that when i was 10 ( and failed) to not nurture your talent and to push you down like that is horrible of them. Im sure they mean well, but im sorry to say you're parents are stuck in the narrow minded view that anime is for losers. I believe the first step is to rationaly talk to oyur parents and explain that this is your intrest. Maybe you can make a deal. You let me watch anime here and there and I'll work really hard to get good grades, or Ill put in extra hours at the piano ( you get my drift ) Hopefully they can calmly explain back about what they fear about anime.

[Sweet~Pea]

Wow that's a bit harsh. I agree with bluelady that many cosplayers are college students. I know for a fact that MIT and Harvard have anime societys for crying-out-loud.

Cheers
-Christa

[Blondie_Usagi]

I should make the deal 'I'll be better in math and reading and buy ya'll beer and wine if ya'll let me watch anime and go to conventions'lol.but I'm trying to raise money to go to cons.

[Blondie_Usagi]

ooooo,and I just remembered something that happened about 2 years ago.I was talking to my cousin about how cool and how nice the Sailor Jamboree was and he told me they were cute but they were losers like me.I got really mad and I started cursing him out and we got into a fist fight,I lost but,oh well.Then I went to church the next day.

[BlueLady]

thats the tough part till you can get a job ( I dont know if you have one) Most younger people make day trips with parents ( a good idea if you are under 18 anyhow, there are sadly lots of pervs right along with the good people). If you could save up money and live local, maybe you can get someone to take you to otakon or anime expo for a day.
beer and wine..that doesnt sound like a good lead in to family life.. I hope im misreading

[Blondie_Usagi]

I'm 13,but once I finish my nanny's sewing classes I would help her make clothes and sell them,I'll even put a sign 'will make clothes for money to go to convention'

yes BlueLady,drinking,smoking,and fishing are my parents.I'm all the way against drugs.
A week ago,I saw my older brother smoking and I started to cry because I really look up to him,its sad.

[Rei2Rei]

Hmm..Maybe you should sit down your family and explain to them about cosplay. Tell them that it's something you're very interested in. That it would mean a lot to you if they were also interested. You could even show them pictures of really nice, elaborate costumes.

Try to get them to understand that we're all (simi) normal people, we all do have lives, and some of us are students who work very hard~

[Dinahsprodigy]

Whoa, Blonde Usagi, slow down. First, you're thirteen years old. Your parents are probably concerned about your safety at the conventions, and rightfully so. What you need to do is sit down with them, and in a calm manner, explain why you like anime so much, and why you'd enjoy attending conventions. Ask if one of them will go with you, or ask if you can go with a group of your friends who has parental support. Explain to your mom that you really like Sailor Moon, and that you were upset that she made you throw it away. Sailor Moon is one of the better animes out there for young girls.

You also may have to just be patient. I'm nineteen, and my parents, while supportive of many things I do (martial arts, my training, my novel writing), they don't really understand cosplaying or anime. I've accepted that. And I've proven my maturity in other areas, so they're not leery about my going to cons or buying manga and anime. Their biggest worry is that they have to listen to me talk about my latest costume! *grins*

So be patient, and make sure to have a talk with your parents. Hopefully, they'll hear what you're trying to say.

[Blondie_Usagi]

My parents kinda understand,put they don't so they won't let.But if I were to bring an adult to a convention it would be my nanny(my nanny is like my second mother,she lives in Grand Prarie,I think I spelled that right)

Me and my cousin got in another argument.This is how it went.

~Kyle:So you don't want to have a life like me?
~Me:I always will have a life,cosplay is something,but unlike you,all you know is cars and playboy(and he's only 1 year older than me,14)
~Kyle:Thats what will give me education,and besides,all cosplayers don't have lives.
~Me:Yes they do,I know one who's married with children who cosplay with her and she has her education and a job.
~Kyle:All because she has a job and kids doesn't mean she has a life.
~Me:yes it does,and what are you gonna do for a living.
~Kyle:I don't know,but something that would keep me from being a loser is having a car like on 2Fast 2Furious.
~Me:Thats really lame,what are you going to get out of that?
~Kyle:Attention and girls.
~Me:Yeah,they'll be putting their attention on the car not you,and the girl are all just sluts.
~Kyle:Your just jelous because you can't get a mate.
~Me:I'm too young for one.And when you burn up all you money on cars,I will have plenty of money to keep me alive because I went cosplaying and I turned into a singer and actress and I'll laugh right in your face and say 'I told you so'

[JunJun]

Maybe you should tell them that people who drink and smoke and fish all day are failures. At least you have a productive hobby.

My best way to help others understand my hobby is to explain that its like bringing the people in the anime out into real life. Its just like acting, drawing, or any other art; putting ideas into a visible medium.

If your parents have a thing against anime in general, make them tell you why! Why is this bad? why would this make me a failure? Pull up examples! Sailor Moon is about friendship and love and responsibility! Failures? We wouldn't have money to make our costumes if we were failures! hehe. Cosplay teaches you skills (sewing is definitely one!).