Her father was abusive. I don't understand how some people don't see why Ariel was so driven to get the hell out of Atlantica. Triton literally treated her like a prize in his trophy case! He wouldn't even consider her opinions whatsoever and only came to accept her being a human when he found out she'd have a man to take care of her.

I don't think Triton was abusive, I think he was over-protective. After all Ariel was allowed to do whatever she wants, as long as it is underwater. So basically she was allowed and could go to more places that humans could possibly ever go to.

Agree with BelleAnastasia. Triton's not abusive, he only wanted Ariel to be safe (and you can see the reason in TLM 3). He's strict and protective like any other parent. Obviously he wished other things for her but still he loved her and wanted her to be happy.

As for discovering that daughters are reprimanded, she would have her doubts but would want to become human.

^ I agree with 2 above comments

agreed i think she would have doubts unless she didn't meet Eric she would probably find another way of discovering the human world

She'd definitely still wanna be human. oh Ariel, whyyyyyyyy I'd give ANYTHING to be a mermaid

she just wants eric, anyway

And she's going to find out that sooner or later.
In fact, if we count the sequel, doesn't she reprimand her own daughter?

Face it, her dream sucks. Thank goodness her whiny little dream of some world where they don't reprimand their daughters is utterly obliterated when she falls for Eric.

Could you imagine this:

Ursula: "Hmm...that's right! But, you won't be reprimanded any more. Life's full of tough choices, innit?"

Triton is a bad dad and over-protective but he's not abusive. Anyway I think Ariel wanted more things besides just this. She wanted to explore this amazing world that has so much more for her than the sea does.

I agree with KataraLover.

That wasn't her main reason to become human anyway.

I agree with KataraLover. Also, I really doubt that Ariel would let something like that get in the way of her dream of becoming human. She's completely in love with the human world -- I think she'd love it flaws and all. :3

Honestly, I don't think that Ariel is totally serious when she is singing the line. Even she should be aware that elsewhere not everything is perfect. But in this moment, "up there" is more some kind of dream world she can imagine however she wants. That doesn't mean that she doesn't want to experience it for real.

That is just one of Ariel's MILLION reasons to be a human. In case she met parents who reprimanded their chid, she'll think that it's not her business.