the giver chapter 16

After the evening meal, Jonas asks his parents if they love him. Amused, Father admonishes him for not using language precisely. Mother tells him that the word "love" is so generalized as to be meaningless, and they suggest questions such as "Do you enjoy me?" or "Do you take pride in my accomplishments?" as more appropriate questions, to which the answer is "Yes." Jonas completely disagrees but lies to them for the first time and tells them that he understands.