format_quote Originally Posted by
leena_muslimah
I also would like to say whatever college I do choose to attend is ranked in the top 25 meaning most students are very serious about their education especially me which means that partying and all that stuff is kept at minimum.
This is not true. I had the opportunity to attend one of the top 8 universities in the US. It's notorious for being a "party school" and alcoholic drinking. But I digress..
I think mashallah it's great that you have not done anything morally wrong and it's sad that your parents are treating you differently than your brother, but just as you said, its not due to Islam but rather culture. Many of us come from cultures where parents are overprotective of their daughters but give more freedom to the sons.
However, I don't think you should move away from Islam just because your parents have been using it to control you. If anything, you should learn the proper teachings and teach them about it because what they told you is probably what they grew up getting told too. It also could just be that they are simply not ready to let you live on your own, and that is completely understandable, and you may not understand it at all right now. Whatever the reason may be, you have to stop thinking so negatively of your parents and instead be patient with them and help them. That's the best course of action. You will butt heads, and argue, and some times you may even hate them but they will always be there for you and I wouldn't hesitate for a second in thinking that they would die for you too. So with all of their love and affection it may come out as something you don't like such as over-protectiveness or close mindedness. But be patient with them and find ways to compromise. Also never hesitate to pray and make du'a...These are tools at your leisure and they are so powerful in changing your situation.