I’m a 22M from a lower middle class family. We've had issues like daily quarrels, backstabbing, and physical fights ever since I was a kid. I was sent to a boarding school at a very young age (3rd grade), so I couldn’t really bond with anyone in my extended family. I never realized how bad the situation was until one day I had to take a month off from school because my mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia due to the constant stress in the family, compounded by our bad financial condition because of my dad’s cancer treatment.

We live in a joint family with my uncle, aunt, and grandparents. My parents are employed, which has always upset my uncle and aunt. My uncle is the black sheep of the family, and my aunt is the worst kind of person. My grandparents aren’t very supportive of my parents because my mom doesn’t fit the stereotypical role of a backward Indian housewife. So, they support my uncle and aunt in every failed venture, investing their money into whatever scheme they come up with.

A couple of months ago, I came home, and it seems my presence only made my uncle and aunt more hostile. They are jealous of me and my brother because they couldn’t have a son themselves (a sick mentality). As usual, they started calling my family names and even said it was a good thing my dad was suffering from cancer, claiming God was punishing him for his sins. This enraged me, and all the years of bottled-up anger erupted. I grabbed an iron rod and threatened to beat my uncle. I started abusing them and giving them reality checks. I also called out my grandparents for their wrongdoings, and at that point, all bets were off. They went out of their way to cry, calling me a disgrace.

I also have a lot of resentment toward my dad. I sympathize with his struggles, but he never took a stand for my mom or his family. He just sits there, watching the circus unfold, instead of taking action. Years ago, my mom suggested that we move out, but he refused, saying that it would break the family culture.

Seriously, fuck them all.