I don't liek parents who force things on their children; from a lifestyle point of view, I hate to see a child being pushed into dancing classes at the age of 3 because their mother wants an Olympic ballerina. I had a friend whose parents wanted her to be a swimmer; she really had no choice, and spent 20 hours a week training until she told them to piss off at 15. She used to rant about it when she was drunk.

Anyways, beliefs...my parents were cool about it. Neither of them were baptized, or are religious, but the didn't have my brother or I baptized, because they thought that we'd do that ourselves when we were older, should we wish to.

But that's not to say we didn't absorb what they were saying. Almost unintentionally, I harbour great resentment towards the Conservative party, and to the middle class. My family has always been working class, and my parents' rantings about Thatcher and the houses of the rich has definetly influenced the way I see things. I don't think it could have been helped.

As a final statement, I think that it's wrong for a parent to force a thought or religion upon a child. Mine never really forced anything on me; i'll always remember what they've said, but will use it only to form my own version, to form my own ideas and beliefs. I think that's the way it should be, to be honest. Let them make their own way, but guide them just enough.