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Does this seem like a legitimate reason for a break-up?

edited March 2009 in General
The Love Thread is rockin' again!

My bf was talking about his best friend who has been seeing this girl for about a year. He just met her parents (they live out of the city and rarely visit Vancouver). To put it lightly, her mom is apparently huge-o and not the most attractive of ladies. My bf's friend was so shocked that he came to my bf to rant about it. He told him, "well, I know this won't be going long-term now".

I was borderline horrified! But then I thought about it, and he does have a point. He claims that genetics are strong and she could turn out like her mom -- he wouldn't want to be with her in 10 years, in that case. My boyfriend agreed.

If you were seeing someone and met their parents, who were perhaps hugeomongous, would that affect your relationship with them if you thought that's what he/she would look like in 10-20 years? Keep in mind these guys are 26-27, so it's not some teenagers speaking.

Comments

  • edited March 2009
    It wouldn't. Science is science. Genetics is one thing, feelings are another. To me, it sounds like just another reason to dump someone casually because he's not that interested. I've done the same thing before--used some glorified reason for myself to stop seeing someone when in truth, the only reason was that there wasn't enough chemistry or I just didn't see a long term relationship with the type of person I was seeing.

    It's "okay" to do so when it's a casual relationship, but I think it would be very cruel to ditch long term relationships for the same reason. My boyfriend's dad is very hairy, and is balding. And it looks like my boyfriend is going very much the same way. As much as it may be that his genes are his genes, the way he's going to look in a few years or thirty years won't affect how much I care about him, or how we will interact. The funny thing is that he talks about it all the time, and is amazed that it doesn't bother me.

    This question of "would you" or "would you not" most likely relies on the level of commitment that a person is in. Most people do and will find funny reasons to get out of a casual relationship that they see no future in, and most people will also stick around when they actually find someone they feel is worth sticking to.
  • edited March 2009
    u gotta take it into consideration, regardless of how shallow it may seem on the surface

    i think its agreed upon that fat = genetics + environment, just b/c u have a disposition to being fat doesnt necessarily mean u will be, u are what u eat in most cases

    personally i dont think its a dealbreaker
    unless the girl is alrdy well on her way, then i mean u cant go ffwd 10 years down the road and say u didnt see it coming
  • edited March 2009
    If the girl I was dating started to become fat, then I'd dump her fat ass.
  • edited March 2009
    Wow. If the feelings are really there for her, then it wouldn't matter regardless of whether she may become "huge-o" like her mother. It really shouldn't matter. What a shame. Poor girl if he really does dump her over that. This just takes shallowness to a whooole other level.
  • edited March 2009
    I think Lixie made a good point...if he really cared about her that much it wouldn't matter what she "might" look like 10 years down the road. There's a quote that says "Love is learning to see an imperfect person perfectly" which is actually very meaningful...you will never meet someone who is realistically perfect, you just have to trust your feelings and love someone wholheartedly or don't get into a long term relationship. Casual dating, whatevr.

    P.S. This totally reminded me of the movie "Heartbreak Kid" when Ben Stiller meets his gf's wife who is also verrry huge LOL
  • edited March 2009
    Apparently now they're having problems because she's verrrrry clingy, and this was just the icing on the cake!

    But interesting responses.
  • edited March 2009
    [youtube]4f0h5J-eAgQ[/youtube]
  • edited March 2009
    LOL did you HAVE to post that bufli? =P

    there's nothing really legitimate or illegitimate about the reason for the break up.. if that person finds the reason compelling and has the justification for it.. the break up is gonna happen regardless of what others think.. now from a third person's POV.. we may not see the reason mentioned to be a sufficient justification.. i personally don't think it's a sufficient one either since relationships especially at the age of 26-27 aren't just about looks.. they're probably trying to go for something that lasts..

    while genetics are important.. environment also plays its role.. as imelting mentioned having a disposition towards being fat does not mean you'll become FAT (if this is true i should start crying myself to sleep from now and 30 yrs down the road).. ultimately.. if it comes down to compatibility (and all the goodness of the relationship) vs the "chance" of the girl becoming fat.. that just seems like a really ridiculous way to phrase the problem.. i mean.. if she's the right girl in all aspects and he dumps her on the basis of the possibility in becoming a replica of her mother.. is he confident that he'll find someone just as compatible as her? i just think it's pretty obvious who the winner is..

    my hunch is that this isn't even the reason why he's considering dumping her.. sounds more like a leeway for him to find the justifications for the break up.. if it does happen..
  • edited March 2009
    siuying;51534 said:
    LOL did you HAVE to post that bufli? =P
    apparently i did =P
  • edited March 2009
    It's not his fault, his family has a history of posting tangentially related youtube videos.
  • edited March 2009
    lol still i agree that it's low to dump them just because of genetics. If the feelings are there it shouldn't matter how they might turn out. Most of the time it might be completely wrong... as well ever see those miracles? they usually turn out really good looking after you assume they wouldn't. It's just shallow if you dump them based on looks or their future looks.
  • edited March 2009
    I think the link between genetics and obesity is very weak at best.

    Bad eating habits are definitely only environmental, something like baldness or heart disease on the other hand...
  • edited March 2009
    how does he know for sure that his gf will turn out like her mom? And so what, big girls need love too:embarassed:
  • edited March 2009
    kingsleymore;51603 said:
    how does he know for sure that his gf will turn out like her mom? And so what, big girls need love too:embarassed:
    Yeah, what's wrong with fat girls? There's more to love :wink:
  • edited March 2009
    This is a rather lame excuse for a break up. The guy should just acknowledge that he no longer likes the girl and just break up with her there. Besides, a guy this shallow should be dumped anyways.

    By the way, if what he said about genetic is true, then I really wonder what his father looks like right now? No offense...
    randomuser;51598 said:
    I think the link between genetics and obesity is very weak at best.
    You should meet my high school acting classmate and his family...
    Bad eating habits are definitely only environmental, something like baldness or heart disease on the other hand...
    Or liver diseases. My family has a history of liver problems. This is one of the reasons why I don't drink.
  • edited March 2009
    What would the world be without the fatties...
  • edited March 2009
    kingsleymore;51603 said:
    how does he know for sure that his gf will turn out like her mom? And so what, big girls need love too:embarassed:
    Some people just aren't attracted!
  • edited March 2009
    Lixie;51608 said:
    What would the world be without the fatties...
    Something else would take its place.
  • edited March 2009
    Student0667;51606 said:

    You should meet my high school acting classmate and his family...
    I'm not sure to the extent that you're kidding, but you don't just gain weight by having specific genes, caloric intake is what determines weight gain or loss, which is a choice.

    :zip:
  • edited March 2009
    randomuser;51619 said:
    I'm not sure to the extent that you're kidding, but you don't just gain weight by having specific genes, caloric intake is what determines weight gain or loss, which is a choice.

    :zip:
    Both actually. Way back in 2001, a team of French researcher discovered an obesity gene that can be passed down from father to son. Then, in 2007, a team of UK researchers a gene variant that can explain why certain people are obese.

    I said both because the last time I saw him, he was napping in his family van in front of a Pizza Hut while his mom is buying pizza inside. Having an unhealthy diet is not going to help...
  • edited March 2009
    Student0667;51625 said:
    Both actually. Way back in 2001, a team of French researcher discovered an obesity gene that can be passed down from father to son. Then, in 2007, a team of UK researchers a gene variant that can explain why certain people are obese.

    I said both because the last time I saw him, he was napping in his family van in front of a Pizza Hut while his mom is buying pizza inside. Having an unhealthy diet is not going to help...
    "However, they added that lifestyle and environment are also strong factors. The genetics has not changed in the last 100 years, but lifestyle and environment has, they said."

    These studies should not be taken with high value, its a common sense understanding how human bodies gain and lose weight.

    Or am I missing some scientific breakthrough? I'm just curious cause I don't understand how anyone can gain substantial amounts of weight any other way.
  • edited March 2009
    randomuser;51630 said:
    Or am I missing some scientific breakthrough? I'm just curious cause I don't understand how anyone can gain substantial amounts of weight any other way.
    No, I am just saying that people should be more wary of their diet if many of their family members "suffer" from obesity. This is the same approach I take when it comes to my family's liver problem.
  • edited March 2009
    I don't think obesity is a disease, so I contest that you can suffer from it, as it is more of a transitory condition, or better phrased a 'state'.
  • edited March 2009
    nicole;51614 said:
    Some people just aren't attracted!
    so if your bf became fat.... say tomorrow, you would leave him?
  • edited March 2009
    Kingsley;51717 said:
    so if your bf became fat.... say tomorrow, you would leave him?
    I wouldn't leave him, but I wouldn't be as attracted to him, which is a huge part in a relationship IMO. The effects would probably rear their head at some point.
  • edited March 2009
    randomuser;51639 said:
    I don't think obesity is a disease, so I contest that you can suffer from it, as it is more of a transitory condition, or better phrased a 'state'.
    Obesity is a disease of the mind. Like depression. Being obese and staying that way is a sign of laziness.

    And it can also lead to a variety of problems for the human body, obesity.

    Heart problems, lung problems. Weakened lower body, spinal compression.

    Obesity is the cause of many of these, and an obese person generally has a shorter life span.

    Not to mention that obesity can also lead to higher levels of promiscuity, as obese persons usually have lower self-esteem and being overly sexually active is one of the "outs" they seek to raise their self-esteem. This leads to a wider possibility of STD.

    It's a hippy ideal that obesity is not a problem. It is. It's a problem for the ones who are obese as it shortens their life span and puts them at health's risk. It's a problem for the rest of us that we have to look at them.

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