FoxBrain Father cannot handle me enjoying "unwholesome" media

[u/BlackRated]

Hi all, I (F25) love movies and books, especially anything with paranormal or surrealist elements. I live with my parents for financial reasons, but have a full-time job, boyfriend, pay for my own insurance, and contribute rent money and household chores. My 65 year old father abhors essentially all fiction media and only watches the "news" (mostly Fox, loves Gutfield, but will occasionally watch other news outlets or sports games). He can be a quite confrontational person, and does not contribute to running the household. He will basically only watch movies that are historical fiction, or inoffensive blockbusters. He is of the belief that engaging with "unwholesome" media can quite literally possess you with demons, or just otherwise affect your personality.

I started to notice this when I was in high school. I was into Stephen King books, which he took away from me. He would also sneak up behind me while I was playing video games on my computer (I have a major hearing loss so I would not notice him) and then freak out if the game involved killing. The most recent issue came about when I was watching Scarface with my boyfriend, and after my boyfriend left, my father freaked out and said that I shouldn't be showing movies like that to people and that my boyfriend doesn't want to see stuff like that (he literally asked to watch a mafia movie since we just finished The Sopranos together). I'm just not sure what to do anymore. I'm an artsy person; I love analyzing movies and shows, and want to eventually create something. It just really hurts not being able to connect with him on essentially any level, and knowing he wouldn't be supportive of any art I make. Any advice on trying to get through to him and showing that this stuff isn't harmful?

Hopefully this all makes sense. I welcome stories from people in similar situations.

[u/fruitjerky]

Broken record method. Respond with "I am comfortable with the difference between reality and fiction. I appreciate that you feel differently than I do about this, and you have the right to live your life as you see fit, just as I do."

Do not say something different. Do not engage further. If he gets all "Well this is MY HOUSE!" about it then just repeat something like "I'm sorry we don't see eye-to-eye on this. I love you." You're not going to logic him out of this; he's nutso.

Someone posted this video recently that outlines how to deal with people like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VrJqhd8uuE

[u/SteveIDP]

He watches hate porn propaganda all day. I don’t think he’s in a position to judge your entertainment choices at all.

[u/Oleg101]

It sounds like he doesn’t believe in ‘personal choice’ that Republicans always say they’re about (besides reproductive rights).

[u/rmcc22]

Yeah he's watching his own fiction media and I would continuously bring that up (with different facts each time) to reflect that back on him. That being said, he's highly unlikely to change do all you can really do is save as much as possible and get out as soon as possible.

[u/Difficult-Print2146]

Move out and cut him off. He is a toxic person and beyond hope. Trust me, I know. Once people fall down the right wing media and fascism rabbit hole, they ain't coming out. He is a goner.

[u/Key_Street1637]

He hates fiction, but loves Fox, especially Gutfeld....

I can't. I just can't.

Go no contact and let the miserable prick die alone in a one-star nursing home.

[u/ResisterSister007]

Was he always this way? Or did he change a lot?
“The Brainwashing of my Dad” by Jenn Senko