Am I Safe??? | Reading Reddit Stories
In the latest episode of "Smosh Reads Reddit Stories," hosts Shayne Topp, Ian Hecox, and Amanda Lehan-Canto delve into real-life scenarios that provoke conversations about boundaries, trust, and discipline. The episode traverses a variety of contentious topics, from dealing with a teenager's theft to the complex dynamics of jealousy in relationships. Each story is dissected, offering a raw look at the ethical and moral dilemmas facing individuals in their personal lives.
The podcast dissects situations ranging from a father's controversial punishment of his son to a boyfriend's invasive tampering with his girlfriend's diet. Safety concerns are discussed as the hosts cover stories about protecting oneself at night and the responsibility we hold for others' well-being. Throughout the episode, the speakers provide insight into maintaining healthy relationships and the importance of communication, respect, and personal agency—vital considerations for anyone navigating the murky waters of interpersonal connections.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Feb 17, 2024 episode of the Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Managing your kids' misbehavior
Parents are faced with challenging decisions when addressing their children's misbehavior. A recent case that sparked debate involved a parent discovering their 16-year-old son stole beer from a gas station. After settling the issue financially with the establishment, the father made the boy consume the beer while watching basketball, causing him to vomit multiple times. Subsequently, the boy was made to do yard work the following day while hungover. Experts criticize this method of punishment for its potential health risks and emotional harm, emphasizing the importance of understanding and implementing healthy disciplinary practices.
Manipulating your partner's diet to change their appearance
A young man's attempt to alter his girlfriend's body by secretly adding olive oil to her food has been met with public condemnation. Mari, the 22-year-old girlfriend, adhering to a fitness plan involving a cutting phase, experienced a setback in her fitness goals and gained weight due to her boyfriend's actions. After the boyfriend's admission, Mari moved out to stay with her sister, deeply affected by the betrayal. Critics highlight this behavior as controlling, suggesting it poses risks to Mari's physical and mental health and emphasizing the violation of trust involved in manipulating a partner's diet without consent.
Protecting women's safety walking alone at night
Recent debates have spotlighted the issue of women's safety at night. A person who removed two drunk women from their home for personal comfort faced backlash, with questions raised about responsibility for the women's well-being. In another instance, a man's decision to physically show his girlfriend her inability to defend herself was heavily criticized. The incident led to discussions on partnership and safety, with recommendations to accept help, communicate effectively, and avoid physical confrontations. The broader conversation suggests focusing on preventative safety measures rather than resorting to proving a point through aggression.
Dealing with unhealthy suspicions and jealousy in relationships
Jealousy and suspicion can lead to destructive behaviors within relationships. Shayne Topp experienced a manipulated "test" by her sister, who orchestrated harassment from her husband to gauge Shayne's fidelity. The act divided their family and caused Shayne to distance herself, requiring apologies. Another situation involved a Central European woman who found out her American boyfriend was seeking a "traditional" bride. This relationship dynamic prompted discussions on the "passport bro" culture and the unhealthy pursuit of submissive foreign wives, spotlighting the need for mutual respect, honest communication, and addressing societal perspectives on women and marriage.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- A "cutting phase" in a fitness plan typically involves a period where an individual focuses on reducing body fat while preserving muscle mass. This phase often includes a combination of calorie restriction, increased cardiovascular exercise, and sometimes adjustments to macronutrient intake. The goal is to achieve a leaner physique by shedding excess body fat, usually following a period of muscle-building or maintenance. It is a common practice among athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts aiming to improve their body composition.
Counterarguments
- While harmful or emotionally damaging punishments are generally to be avoided, some argue that there can be a place for strict or unconventional disciplinary actions if they are carefully considered and executed in a way that ensures the child's safety and understanding of the consequences of their actions.
- In the context of diet manipulation, some might argue that while the boyfriend's actions were wrong, this could open a discussion about how partners can support each other's health goals in a consensual and respectful manner.
- Regarding women's safety at night, some may argue that while preventative measures are important, individuals should also be empowered and trained in self-defense as a complementary strategy to enhance personal safety.
- Concerning jealousy and suspicion in relationships, it could be argued that while these emotions are often destructive, they can sometimes be symptomatic of deeper issues within the relationship that need to be addressed, and not merely a matter of poor communication or lack of respect.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Managing your kids' misbehavior
When dealing with children's misbehavior, parents sometimes take unexpected approaches, as demonstrated by a recent situation involving a son's theft and the father's chosen method of confrontation.
Confronting son for stealing beer and forcing him to drink what he stole
A parent discovered that their 16-year-old son stole an 18-pack of beer from a gas station for a get-together with friends. After confirming the theft with the gas station, the parent compensated them and paid an extra $100 to prevent the establishment from pressing charges.
Choosing an unconventional approach to discipline, the parent forced the son to drink the beer he stole, going beer for beer with him while watching NBA games. The son became noticeably intoxicated and vomited after the seventh beer. Despite showing clear signs of distress, the child insisted on continuing. He was sick again and crying after the ninth beer.
To reinforce the lesson, the father required the son to do yard work the next day as an additional punishmen ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Managing your kids' misbehavior
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The father's unconventional approach of forcing his son to drink the stolen beer was a form of punishment aimed at making the son experience the consequences of his actions firsthand. By making the son consume the stolen beer, the father intended to teach a lesson about the dangers and negative effects of alcohol consumption, especially at a young age. This method, while extreme, was a way for the father to address the issue directly and create a memorable experience for his son to deter future misbehavior. The act of drinking the stolen beer together also symbolized a shared experience that the father used to connect with his son during a moment of discipline.
- The son becoming intoxicated and vomiting after the seventh beer is a concerning detail in the text. It highlights the rapid impact of alcohol consumption on the teenager's body, leading to physical distress. This situation underscores the dangers of underage drinking and the potential health risks associated with consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period.
- The son's insistence on continuing to drink despite showing distress could be due to various factors such as peer pressure, fear of consequences for not following through, or a desire to prove his resilience. It's not uncommon for individuals, especially teenagers, to feel compelled to continue risky behavior to save face or avoid appearing weak in front of others. Additionally, the influence of alcohol on decision-making and judgment could have played a role in his determination to continue drinking despite the negative effects he was experiencing.
- The son becoming sick and crying after the ninth beer indicates that he was experiencing severe physical and emotional distress due to the excessive alcohol consumption. This reaction is a common response to alcohol poisoning, where the body struggles to process the high amount of alcohol consumed, leading to symptoms like vomiting and emotional distress. It highlights the dangerous consequences of consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period, especially for someone underage. The incident underscores the importance of understanding the risks associated with alcohol consumption, particularly in the context of underage drinking.
- Requiring the son to do yard work as additional punishment is a form of discipline where the child is assigned physical tasks related to outdoor chores, such as mowing the lawn, weeding, or gardening, as a consequence for their misbehavior. This type of punishment aims to teach responsibility, provide a constructive outlet for the child's energy, and help them understand the consequenc ...
Counterarguments
- The parent's decision to force the son to drink the stolen beer could be seen as promoting unhealthy drinking habits and potentially glamorizing binge drinking as a form of punishment.
- Making the son drink the beer he stole might inadvertently send the message that the consequences of theft are simply to consume what was stolen, rather than understanding the moral and legal implications of stealing.
- The punishment could be considered a form of physical and emotional abuse, as it caused the son physical harm (vomiting and potential alcohol poisoning) and emotional distress (crying).
- The father's method of punishment does not align with recommended disciplinary practices that emphasize positive behavior reinforcement and constructive consequences.
- The additional punishment of yard work after a night of forced drinking could be seen as excessive and potentially dangerous, given the son's likely hangover and dehydration.
- The disagreement between the parents on the harshness of the punishment highlights a lack of unified parenting approach, which can be confusing and detrimental to a child's understanding of boundaries and consequences.
- The story may not fully consider the long-term psychological effects that such a punishment could have on the child, including potential trauma or the development of unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- The narrative does not explore alternative disciplinary actio ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Manipulating your partner's diet to change their appearance
Boyfriend secretly slipping olive oil into girlfriend's food to make her gain weight
In an alarming tale of diet manipulation, a boyfriend has admitted to secretly adding olive oil to his girlfriend Mari's food in an attempt to affect her body weight.
Mari, a 22-year-old focused on fitness, has faced body image issues, which intensified with her stringent routine of early morning runs, smaller food portions, weightlifting, and Pilates. Although she clarified to her boyfriend, a 24-year-old male, that she was cycling through a cutting phase after bulking, he remained concerned. Consequently, he started sneaking olive oil into her meals covertly, taking advantage of the fact that he cooked most meals while Mari prepped and counted macros.
This secretive addition of olive oil continued for about three months, which ultimately led to Mari gaining unintended weight and plateauing in her fitness goals. The ruse was uncovered following the discovery of empty oil bottles, leading to a confrontation where the boyfriend confessed his actions were motivated by fear for her health and an attempt to curb what he viewed as an obsessive fitness regime.
This revelation of deceit has resulted in Mari temporarily moving in with her sister. The boyfriend's manipulative behavior has been criticized as controlling and a violation that can potentially lead to Mari developing trust issues ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Manipulating your partner's diet to change their appearance
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- A "cutting phase" in fitness involves a period where someone focuses on reducing body fat while maintaining muscle mass. This phase typically follows a "bulking phase," where the individual aims to increase muscle mass through a calorie surplus and intense training. During the cutting phase, the person usually adjusts their diet and exercise routine to promote fat loss while preserving muscle definition. It's a common practice in bodybuilding and fitness to cycle between bulking and cutting phases to achieve specific physique goals.
- Counting macros involves tracking macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in one's diet. It is a method commonly used in fitness and nutrition to manage food intake based on specific goals. By monitoring macros, individuals can ensure they are consuming the right balance of nutrients to support their fitness objectives. This practice is often utilized by athletes, bodybuilders, and individuals focused on achieving specific body composition goals.
- Pilates is a type of exercise that focuses on controlled movements to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. It was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century and emphasizes core strength, alignment, and breathing. Pilates is practiced worldwide and is known for its benefits in improving posture, muscle tone, and overall body awareness. It involves a series of exercises that target specific muscle groups and promote mind-body connection.
- Stealthily adding calories to someone's diet means secretly incorporating extra calories into the person's meals without their knowledge or consent. This can lead to unintended weight gain or impact the individual's health and fitness goals. In the context of the text, the boyfriend's act of adding olive oil to his girlfriend's food without her awareness is an example of stealthily increasing her calor ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Protecting women's safety walking alone at night
Public discourse highlights a pressing need to address safety concerns for women walking alone at night, sparking debates on how best to ensure their protection while respecting their autonomy.
Kicking drunk women out of a party over male friend's "discomfort"
An individual recently faced criticism for ejecting two intoxicated women from their home, citing personal discomfort, and dismissing concerns for the women's safety. The move sparked heated discussions, with commenters chastising the individual for valuing their own comfort above the safety of the drunk women, recalling the all-too-common news stories of women being attacked. The critical question posed is how the individual would feel if the women were assaulted post-eviction.
Shayne Topp reflects on a related incident, voicing his discomfort about spending the night with very drunk women at a party. Topp convinced his friend to kick the women out, resulting in angry messages the next day and demands for an apology, although Topp did not believe one was necessary.
Forcibly proving girlfriend's strength claims wrong through assault
Meanwhile, controversy surrounds a man who aggressively demonstrated to his girlfriend that she might not be as capable of self-defense as she believed. Despite her claims to the contrary, stressing her 5'10" stature and workout routine, her boyfriend's physical restraint left her upset and regretting her assumptions. The boyfriend now regrets his actions, realizing he shattered her confidence.
Commentary from Amanda Lehan-Canto and Shayne Topp suggests that within a partnership, it's crucial to work together on safety issues instead of insisting on independence. They recommend a ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Protecting women's safety walking alone at night
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Amanda Lehan-Canto and Shayne Topp emphasize the importance of partners working together on safety concerns. They suggest open communication, accepting help from each other, and avoiding resorting to physical confrontation as a solution. Lehan-Canto highlights the value of having back ...
Counterarguments
- While it is important to address safety concerns for women walking alone at night, it is also necessary to consider the broader societal issues that contribute to the feeling of unsafety, such as inadequate street lighting, lack of public transportation options, and the need for cultural shifts in attitudes towards women.
- In the context of the party ejection, one could argue that a host has the right to remove guests from their private property if they feel uncomfortable, regardless of the guests' gender or level of intoxication. The safety of the guests is important, but so is the host's right to feel secure in their own home.
- The criticism of Shayne Topp's actions could be met with the argument that individuals are allowed to set boundaries for their own comfort levels, and it is not necessarily their responsibility to ensure the safety of others, especially if they believe those individuals are compromising the safety of the environment.
- Regarding the man who forcibly demonstrated his girlfriend's vulnerability, while his actions are widely condemned, it could be argued that his intentions, albeit misguided, stemmed from a place of concern. This does not excuse the behavior but suggests a need for better education on how to address such concerns constructively.
- The recommendation to work together on safety issues in a partnership is sound, but it is also important to respect an individual's autonomy and desire for independence. Partners should support each other's safety measures but also respect their right to make personal choices about their safety.
- While carrying self-defense tools and being aware of one's surroundings are good safety tips, it's also important to recognize that these measures may not be feasible or com ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Dealing with unhealthy suspicions and jealousy in relationships
Navigating through relationship-based insecurities can be challenging. Here, two scenarios display unhealthy dynamics that are not only unsettling but socially concerning.
Sister tricking her brother-in-law into harassing sister to "test" her
A troubling situation arose when Shayne Topp’s brother-in-law behaved inappropriately toward her during a family dinner. Shayne messaged her sister about the discomfort, only to learn it was a "test" orchestrated by her sister to judge her response, thus testing her trustworthiness around her husband. This act stemmed from a past incident involving Shayne's former brother-in-law. The family reacted dividedly, most condemning the manipulation, though the mother and the sister, who expected Shayne to predict the brother-in-law's actions, stood by the charade.
The events escalated to Shayne's sister using her husband to harass Shayne, even acting to validate her insecurity. The family took different sides, with most finding the sister's actions inappropriate while the mother supported them, suggesting she was trying to protect herself from reoccurrence of past hurts. This left Shayne feeling blamed and demanding apologies, cutting contact until they were given.
Calling out American "passport bros" seeking foreign "traditional" brides
In another instance, unhealthy relationship dynamics emerge when a 22-year-old Central European woman learns that her American boyfriend, a "passport bro," sought a "traditional" bride. She discovered his motive on forums discussing how to find submissive foreign wives. Far from the loving relationship she thought sh ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Dealing with unhealthy suspicions and jealousy in relationships
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- "Passport bros" is a term used to describe men, often from Western countries, who seek relationships with women from other countries primarily for immigration or cultural reasons. They may specifically target women from more traditional or conservative cultures, seeking a partner who aligns with their expectations of gender roles and behavior. This behavior is often criticized for objectifying and stereotyping women from different cultures, reducing them to stereotypes rather than valuing them as individuals. The term highlights a problematic trend where some individuals prioritize their own desires and convenience over genuine, respectful relationships.
- The Central European woman criticized American men for seeking "traditional" brides from her region, as she felt they were misrepresenting her culture. She believed these men were reducing her culture to stere ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
