HI DohkO ,
Firstly it was lovely to chat to you In group. You struck me as a very genuine young person who cares deeply for his /her family .
I think whether or not your father has a gambling addiction, you have learned an important lesson.
Do not let others put thoughts in your head or fuel the thoughts you may have . Stand back and see what they are gaining from their perspective ..whether that is justification of their own ideas, or some other form of self satisfaction .
Your dad is entitled to his own hobbies , whether or not we approve .
I learned this lesson when I was about your age.
I was out for the night in a new venue in a new part of town.
I felt a lot of the girls were dressed Inappropriately scantily .
I expressed this to an older lady and what she said to me has stayed with me for life.
She said “but they don’t mean anyone any harm..these are just clothes” . She was so right , .i expected an older,conservative lady with a Blouse buttoned to the neck and a skirt to her shoes to agree with my view
I was young and judgemental .
She was right , these girls did not dress like me but that did not make them any less than me .
I often think of that moment and how this woman in a pub shaped me . I tend to be less judgemental as a result of her wisdom, but also more ready to stand up and speak out when I feel others are passing judgement .(perhaps that is a form of judgement in itself)
Whether or not your concerns are justified , I hope this lesson also shapes you. Like me you may end up working to defend the rights of others.
I sincerely hope your dad does not have a gambling disorder , and that you have a great year at uni.
I hope that this experience shapes you, so that you understand that things are not always as they seem and people will use your concerns to further their own cause.
You are a super, caring , brave young person and I don’t mean to put you down in any way . I am not saying whether or not your father has a gambling disorder. I am saying use this experience to shape you, and always remember we are all just plodding through life, and most people will develop an addiction to something ( even coffee !!) at some stage of their life.