“I feel like my parents’ sacrificial lamb”

“I feel like my parents’ sacrificial lamb, but no one ever asked if I was willing.”

I’m 22. Living in a remote town with my father. No friends here, no one to talk to. Last year, I left my job to prepare for higher studies. The plan was simple: stay home for a few months, study, give my exams, move on.

But life had other plans.

First, my grandfather fell seriously ill. My mother had to leave to take care of him. Suddenly, it was just me and my father at home. Overnight, I became responsible for everything. Cooking, cleaning, managing the house. All while trying to study. When my grandfather passed away, grief wasn’t even an option. There was no time. My grandmother fell sick next. We had to relocate. New place. New responsibilities. Same old story.

I’m telling you all this because I want you to understand — when I say I’m exhausted, it’s not just the chores. It’s the weight of being expected to sacrifice my life without question.

A few weeks ago, I told my parents about a degree I wanted to pursue. It would need me to go to another city. I was ready for the hard work, the struggle. But my mother’s response broke me. She said I should stay back, take care of my father for another year or two. She said it like it was obvious. Like my life didn’t need to move forward.

That hurt. More than the work, more than the studying, it’s this silent assumption that I don’t get to have dreams. My siblings are all in different cities, studying, working, living their lives. But I’m the one who has to stay. Why? Because I’m here. Because I’m the daughter who doesn’t say no.

I have no friends. I’m always alone. And now it feels like my life is being paused indefinitely. I want to live too. I want to study. I want to have something of my own. But here I am, being told to give it all up, again. I’m tired. So tired.

— From a 22-year-old student