Parents 'took away food' from son's plate after he got laid off: 22-year-old says losing Rs 95,000-a-month job revealed their true faces to him

A 22-year-old IT professional has described how losing his Rs 95,000-a-month job left him struggling not only with unemployment but also with a painful situation at home. In a Reddit post, he alleged that his parents began calling him a “freeloader” after he lost his job and eventually took food away from his plate, questioning why they had given birth to him.

The young man said he was laid off six months after starting his career and had been without an income for two months. Sharing his experience anonymously, he described facing taunts, financial difficulties and uncertainty as he tried to find another job.

“Didn't say a word, they took away my air cooler saying we are feeling hot, you can manage,” he wrote, describing how his parents allegedly treated him during this period.


The situation became particularly difficult when his bike ran out of petrol. According to his post, he had to drag it for around 3 km without having money to refuel it.

‘I haven't eaten anything in the last 2 days’

The Reddit user described the incident involving his food as the most hurtful part of his experience.

“The worst happened when they took food from my plate and said what's your use, shayad galti hi kardi terko paida karke (Maybe, we made a mistake by giving you birth),” he wrote.

He added, “I haven't eaten anything in the last 2 days and they don't bother to ask if I want some food or not.”

The young man said he had been searching for a night-guard job that would allow him to prepare for interviews alongside his work. He also tried food delivery using a rented electric scooter but found that the work left him with little time for interview preparation.

Reflecting on his experience, he wrote, “Learned the hard way that no one's truly yours not even your parents.”

He also offered advice to others, saying, “Live your life for yourself and don't make the same mistake I did, before getting your dream bike or car have some savings with you so that can support you in your hard times.”

The tech professional later clarified in the comments that he had not saved much of his salary because he had spent a substantial part of it on his dream bike.

Responding to a user who wondered whether his parents had taken the money he earned, he explained, “No, I did cove household expenses like groceries and bills but spend most of the salary on my dream bike.”

He added, “I think I have to sell that bike now, and thankyou for your comment.”

Reddit users share support and advice

The post made several users share messages of support, while some described their own experiences of unemployment and family relationships.

One commenter, who said he was writing while their five-month-old son slept on their chest, questioned the treatment described in the post.

“Every child deserves loving parents, but not every parent deserves their children's sacrifices,” the user wrote. He also urged the young man to prioritise himself and consider moving out once he found work and could afford to do so.

Another Reddit user shared his experience of being unemployed for a year after working for three years, saying his family had remained supportive throughout.

Other commenters suggested looking for openings at startups, seeking referrals and taking up temporary work to cover essential expenses while continuing interview preparation. Some advised him to sell his bike, although others argued that keeping access to personal transport could be useful.

Not everyone recommended distancing himself from his parents. One commenter suggested that the family try to address its communication gap and understand each other's concerns.

The young man acknowledged that communication between them was limited but said he was worried about raising the issue.

“I am just sad and frustrated all day and same applies to them,” he wrote in response. “But I don't know if talking about my feelings that I feel bad for their words might backfire at me only. I'm already sad and don't really want to take that risk as well.”

His post ended with a message about the financial and emotional lessons he had drawn from the experience. As he looks for another job, he is also confronting the immediate challenge of managing everyday expenses without the income he once earned.