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<p>I’m not sure that there is negative stigma to the stock market in general (it does function to raise capital for companies), but your parents are not lying to you about the stigma associated with day trading.</p>
<p>Go to the library and borrow Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor, or borrow any of the “Boglehead” series of investment books.</p>
<p>Demonstrating “success” in investing (i.e., alpha) as opposed to being a ship raised by the tide (beta) is a fool’s errand. If you could really generate alpha, you don’t need to demonstrate it, just save me a seat on your private jet, okay?</p>