<p>I am so sorry. I have dealt with this my whole life, and am from an “old New England family.” Many cultures favor boys.</p>
<p>It also sounds like your culture prefers continued protection for females, and wonder if your parents are afraid of you leaving home in that context.</p>
<p>Did you get into Columbia University in NYC? Or Columbia College in Chicago?</p>
<p>If Columbia in NYC, I would at least try to talk with your parents, perhaps with an intermediary (guidance counselor or perhaps even a therapist) and see if you can get across to them the benefits of attending such an excellent university. ( I don’t know the status of your ED and it sounds as if you have already said no. So if that is true, this suggestion may not be relevant anymore, but you could talk to Columbia about reapplying, and inform them of your situation.)</p>
<p>Once you are 24 and not a dependent, financial aid will be determined by your own income. That is a long time to wait so I hope you end up at a place you like no matter what happens with your parents’ support, relative to gender.</p>