Is there any hope?

[cj94]

My parents own a restaurant and I would have to go and work everyday; after school, during school breaks, and weekends. My mother is very strict and my dad is just her *****. My mom ignores me a lot when she's mad at me and about November of 2011 I noticed that she was quiet and not very responsive towards and so I asked if she was mad at me and she said "nope." without taking her eyes off her tv show and just kept shoving her dinner in her mouth. On New years she got really mad at me for being in the shower when the ball dropped because apparently it was our "family tradition" to watch the ball drop. My mom snapped at my brother when he asked for money to pay for his school tuition and just went on about crap that he didn't do right...all this was going on while i was helping set up for dinner at the restaurant, and when my brother left because she told him to get out, she walked past me and said "you're done too. you can leave." in a stern voice. she told every customer that came in after that, that we told her that she was a bad mom, she has no kids, and that we raised ourselves. NONE of that of true. She made all of that up. and the thing that hurt the most was that while she was telling that to some lady, she looked over at me, gave me this look and said, "I don't even know why she's still here.." and then looked away. Like I've felt neglected and so unloved by my parents that when she said that and gave me that look, it hurt me on a whole different level...she hasn't talked to me since. My dog needed to go to the vet and she wouldn't give me money for it, and my dad wouldnt either because he was afraid that my mom "would get mad and not talk to him". Today, my friend came over to get some clothes i couldnt wear anymore and my dad was home at the time and my friend and i left shortly after my dad did. My dad told on me, and told my mom that my friend was over because he thought he was doing the right thing...when my mom came home, she immediately started yelling at me and said that i had to have my friend bring the clothes back so that she could look through it..how ridiculous is that? it was just all my old clothes... my parents then went for their daily walk which they do after work every day, and my dad came charging through the door and started screaming at me because he said he and my mom are fighting now because she said, I said that my dad knew my friend was coming over. Complete lie. I said no such thing to her. My dad was flat out ready to punch me in the face. He had his hand up and ready to go...
        My parents are asian, so of course they'd spank me whenever they could when I was little. I was spanked a million times and literally turned black and blue and into a zebra in elementary school for "bad grades". I've been so depressed all my life. I don't take anything for it, because im afraid that if i tell my doctor and my mom finds out she'll scream at me about it. Oh, and did I mention that my doctor is a restaurant customer and friend of my mothers? Yeah, she made me switch from a doctor that i've met once and liked, to a restaurant customer that's now going to know even more about my life. I've never been so depressed like I am now. I would kill myself, but I can't because I would never leave my dog because now i know no one would take care of him. I'm 17 years old, graduated high school early by taking a test because i was miserable in high school, and because of my mom and the restaurant, I didnt have a social life or any friends really. I go to a community college fifteen minutes away from home because my mom wouldn't let me go to the community college in Santa Barbara. School is a drag because I've been only getting one or two classes a semester. I've tried looking everywhere for a job, but people just aren't hiring here... I've just been so depressed for such a long time that I'm convinced that things won't ever get better for me...What did I do to deserve these neglecting and unloving people as my parents? Can I ever look forward to things getting better? I really can't take this much longer.

[ku111]

Keep your grades really high.  You can apply for scholarships eventually to other schools.  Any education you are getting will benefit you in the end.  You may have to wait until your parents don't claim you any longer.  If you have interest in other schools, call their admissions office and talk to them about what would be available to you.  This is going to take a little work but you sound very bright and the counselor's can guide you also.  If you can do some community work or join clubs do so because it only helps with scholarships.  Better yet, if you start your own club.  Blankets for homeless children or socks for homeless children, books, shoes etc...  Doesn't take a lot of time and you might be suprised how many donations you get.  Goodluck!

[cj94]

I live in California..im pretty sure you have to be eighteen to be considered as a legal adult.

[jngemera]

Ok listen to me.  I need to know where you are located.  The reason why is because depending where you are at 17 you are considered a legal adult.  You have right even as a minor.  Choosing your school for instance is your choice.  Please get back to me I want to help you as best as I can.

[cj94]

I wish the school had on campus housing. It's just a little community college that really gets you no where. It's so packed that this entire year I have only gotten three classes. I've checked on the online school website and there aren't any jobs available...thank you for your support. I guess all I can do now is to just wait and hope something turns around for me..

[ku111]

Does your school have on campus housing?  Go to the counselor's office and ask when you could live on campus and what scholarships you may be eligible for.  This is going to be hard work but you can do it.  Get involved in on campus community groups (get more scholarships for being well rounded).  Ask if there are any job available on campus or even for next year.  Just remember:  If you let someone drag you down they will or you can believe in yourself and make a life for yourself and win.  Maybe when you are doing your own thing and doing things on your own you might be able to work on your relationship with your parents.  If not, you will have made new friends and will have plenty of support.  Wishing you the very best!  It's your time to shine!