"privacy is a privilege"

Post Reply New Topic

Today, I put up a sign on my door saying to knock first (otherwise, don't come in) and that saying "who is it" is NOT "come in". My family laughed about this and my dad came into my room (I don't like him coming near me, let alone invading my private space) to explain that "privacy is a privilege, not a right" (to me, privacy is not only a right, but a necessity to maintain my sanity).

It isn't a right until it is your own home. Even land lords can enter your apartment unannounced.

In a particular Pacific Northwest state: they have to provide notice at least 24 hours before-hand. It's unlawful entry otherwise.

On topic: Parents do have the right to their home, even if you claim a room. It's unfortunate that yours don't seem to honor your wish for privacy, but there's not much you can do except plead to them. My family wasn't very keen on letting me have my privacy either. I spent most of 13-15 without a bedroom door. It sucked.

most states(usa) your landlord needs to notify 24 hours before, unless there is a emergancy(fire, water leaks, ect)

to OP sorry it sucks but he has a right to do so. w/ that said if you think that, it tells me that your parents treat you good(better than a lot of others)

maybe you can lock your door? i do that. bugs the crap out of my sister and probably my dad too but eh i need my privacy. i'm guessing you don't have a lock on your door though huh?

Nope.

WTF?? Privacy is too a right!

My parents say they have a right to see and know whatever I see and know. So when I'm downstairs doing homework, they can go upstairs to my room and snoop through my stuff if they feel like they want to know my deepest, darkest secrets. That's why I never keep a diary.

Mine are sort of like that too, but if I'm hesitant to tell them something I don't want too and they get suspicious they will try to get the information out of me or from whatever else they could use to find out.

On my computer I downloaded a free clone of Microsoft products like Word, excel, powerpoint, etc. (it is legal, made by oracle, called openoffice). Anyway, if you wanted to keep a diary there is an easy way to password protect on there for word documents and other stuff.

I keep journal like entries that way too, except I have a laptop with a hard drive that they are saved on to.

Except if my parents see that everything is locked, they will demand that I unlock them in front of their eyes, and then they'll read them.

Something kind of silly that you could try, do you like the lord of the rings?

I haven't read it, no. I plan to this summer. Even then, they'll make me translate it. There's just no getting away from high expectations Asian parents.

My parents always said this to me, too. I don't know about your parents (and this certainly wouldn't have worked with mine), but maybe if you explained to them that you'd be happy to work with them they might be more helpful.
What I mean by that is trying to find out the reasons they don't think you should be able to expect privacy (maybe they just think you demanding it means you have something to hide), find out the things they want to know/keep tabs on about you (or whatever their purposes are for monitoring you), and explain to them that while you're young and you understand that to them, that means your brain doesn't work, you're still old enough to reason with and to advocate for yourself. Something along the lines of, "I understand there are reasons you want to know what's going on with me and that I can only expect so much of what I want, but I'd like to tell you what I need as far as privacy goes and why, and work with you so that we can all be happy."
This is just my perspective of course, and it wouldn't have worked with my parents. They were the kind that got indignant at the idea that I might hold an opinion different from theirs but that it could be equally worthy of respect, as if to do so were some kind of ancient witchcraft only I possess. But if yours are reasonable and at least try to show some mutual respect for their kids, they might appreciate you trying to see their side.