Why does Goku hate Cell?

[ABED]

Who would be the people that would go after Goku? At worst you could say GOku was naive, but Gohan was far stronger than Goku at that point, and could handle himself, he just needed some more training. Gohan could've chosen to not follow Goku's wishes and wish him back with the Namekian DBs.

And by being a magnet, he meant trouble always seemed to find him, not that he was literally drawing evil after him. The Red Ribbon Army wasn't specifically after him in the beginning, nor was Piccolo, hell, even Freeza wasn't after him, but it was their bad luck that he happened to be on the one planet they needed to go to. I don't think he was simply referring to people who wanted revenge on him. Even if there were any left, Gohan could've taken them. That's not dumping anything on Gohan's shoulders. Gohan may not have been a fighter by nature, but he didn't hold it against anyone that once in a while he would have to defend his values.

Trunks wasn't that cocky, immature, sure. Did you see how determined Goten was after Buu killed his mom? When Goku was gonna train them, they showed that they were ready and willing.

Goku could've defeated Vegeta EXCEPT for the fact that Toriyama didn't think ahead and created a plot hole.

If Kaioshin had divulged the full truth, who knows what would've happened.

GOku's not omnipotent but he had a clue, he knew the power of fusion.

Gohan did outclass Cell, Gohan ONLY held back because he was worried about the damage to the planet. Even if it was just due to the momentary destraction, he would still have to be a lot stronger than Cell to kill him.

{Goku:} I understand now! Gohan, you're worried about hurting the planet! That's what's holding you back! Don't be concerned about that! We can reverse any damage with the dragonballs. Now concentrate!

Toriyama put that line how Goku could have beaten Fat Buu in the manga for a reason. It's not like he NEEDED to put that line in there for story's sake, Toriyama wanted it to be established Goku could have beaten Byy but wanted the kids to do it.

Yeah, the reason is he doesn't think ahead.

[Kamiccolo9]

Who would be the people that would go after Goku? At worst you could say GOku was naive, but Gohan was far stronger than Goku at that point, and could handle himself, he just needed some more training. Gohan could've chosen to not follow Goku's wishes and wish him back with the Namekian DBs.

And by being a magnet, he meant trouble always seemed to find him, not that he was literally drawing evil after him. The Red Ribbon Army wasn't specifically after him in the beginning, nor was Piccolo, hell, even Freeza wasn't after him, but it was their bad luck that he happened to be on the one planet they needed to go to. I don't think he was simply referring to people who wanted revenge on him. Even if there were any left, Gohan could've taken them. That's not dumping anything on Gohan's shoulders. Gohan may not have been a fighter by nature, but he didn't hold it against anyone that once in a while he would have to defend his values.

Trunks wasn't that cocky, immature, sure. Did you see how determined Goten was after Buu killed his mom? When Goku was gonna train them, they showed that they were ready and willing.

Goku could've defeated Vegeta EXCEPT for the fact that Toriyama didn't think ahead and created a plot hole.

If Kaioshin had divulged the full truth, who knows what would've happened.

GOku's not omnipotent but he had a clue, he knew the power of fusion.

Gohan did outclass Cell, Gohan ONLY held back because he was worried about the damage to the planet. Even if it was just due to the momentary destraction, he would still have to be a lot stronger than Cell to kill him.

{Goku:} I understand now! Gohan, you're worried about hurting the planet! That's what's holding you back! Don't be concerned about that! We can reverse any damage with the dragonballs. Now concentrate!

Toriyama put that line how Goku could have beaten Fat Buu in the manga for a reason. It's not like he NEEDED to put that line in there for story's sake, Toriyama wanted it to be established Goku could have beaten Byy but wanted the kids to do it.

Yeah, the reason is he doesn't think ahead.

Who could reasonably come after Gohan that Goku couldn't deal with himself? Goku is stronger than everyone else in the universe, aside from his son, at this point.
The Dragon Balls can't affect someone more powerful than their creator was if they don't wish to be affected. Just like Goku refused to be wished back to Earth after fighting Freeza. If Goku didn't want to be wished back, the Dragon Balls couldn't do it.
Goku knew that Gohan wasn't a fighter. He had no reason to entrust the fate of the Earth to him when he was more than capable of handling it himself.
Goku had made up his mind about letting Trunks and Goten handle Buu before seeing Goten's determination.
"Toryama didn't think ahead" isn't an in universe answer.
And all of Gotenks' power didn't mean a thing because he was an idiot. Goku had no idea what the result of the fusion would be, and he didn't have any right to put the fate of the universe on the shoulders of a couple of kids.
Even after Goku said that, Cell was still winning the beam duel. Gohan was getting overwhelmed until Vegeta distracted Cell.

[ABED]

Who could reasonably come after Gohan that Goku couldn't deal with himself? Goku is stronger than everyone else in the universe, aside from his son, at this point.
The Dragon Balls can't affect someone more powerful than their creator was if they don't wish to be affected. Just like Goku refused to be wished back to Earth after fighting Freeza. If Goku didn't want to be wished back, the Dragon Balls couldn't do it.
Goku knew that Gohan wasn't a fighter. He had no reason to entrust the fate of the Earth to him when he was more than capable of handling it himself.
Goku had made up his mind about letting Trunks and Goten handle Buu before seeing Goten's determination.
"Toryama didn't think ahead" isn't an in universe answer.
And all of Gotenks' power didn't mean a thing because he was an idiot. Goku had no idea what the result of the fusion would be, and he didn't have any right to put the fate of the universe on the shoulders of a couple of kids.
Even after Goku said that, Cell was still winning the beam duel. Gohan was getting overwhelmed until Vegeta distracted Cell.

That whole thing about the Dragon Balls never made sense to me. Porunga never asked to move any of the namekians, Vegeta or Gohan if they wanted to move.

Gohan is a fighter, it's not his passion but he's shown that he's willing to defend his values which is perfectly sufficient for the task. He did know what the results of fusion would be, if anything he underestimated its potency, especially when you factor in SS3. Goten and Trunks didn't seem to have any problem with having to defend the world.

I know it wasn't an in universe answer but when the creator creates inconsistencies, there is no good "in universe" explanation.

Goku saw his son's determination when he was teaching them the fusion dance. There is no reason to think Goten or Trunks would be non-chalant about defending the Earth.

Gohan wasn't being overwhelmed due to lack of power, it's lack of belief in himself, and once again, he would have to be far stronger than Cell to kill him. What good is the distraction if he didn't have the power to finish him off? Goku told Gohan, "this is not your best" right before the destraction. Gohan was holding back.

[Kid Buu]

Yeah, the reason is he doesn't think ahead.

But he didn't NEED to retcon that. What purpose does it serve other than putting Goku above Fat Buu, who wasn't even around anymore?

[Kamiccolo9]

That whole thing about the Dragon Balls never made sense to me. Porunga never asked to move any of the namekians, Vegeta or Gohan if they wanted to move.

Gohan is a fighter, it's not his passion but he's shown that he's willing to defend his values which is perfectly sufficient for the task. He did know what the results of fusion would be, if anything he underestimated its potency, especially when you factor in SS3. Goten and Trunks didn't seem to have any problem with having to defend the world.

I know it wasn't an in universe answer but when the creator creates inconsistencies, there is no good "in universe" explanation.

Goku saw his son's determination when he was teaching them the fusion dance.

Gohan wasn't being overwhelmed due to lack of power, it's lack of belief in himself, and once again, he would have to be far stronger than Cell to kill him. What good is the distraction if he didn't have the power to finish him off? Goku told Gohan, "this is not your best" right before the destraction. Gohan was holding back.

Gohan isn't a fighter though. The 7 years after the Cell Games prove that. He was forced into situations where he had to fight, but fighting was never his passion. Piccolo says as much to Goku during the fight with Cell.
As I've already said, power is irrelevant if you don't use it. Sure Gotenks could have killed Buu. But he was more interested in showing off. Goku had no idea what Gotenks would be like. He put the fate of the universe into the hands of a fighter he knew nothing about, when he was more than capable of ending the threat himself.
There is an in universe answer. You just don't like it.
He taught them the dance after he fought Buu. While fighting Buu, he knew nothing about their determination.
His attack would have to be far stronger than Cell, not Gohan himself. Big ki attacks amplify a person's power. Cell's Kamehameha was doing the same thing. And I could just as easily say that Cell wasn't even trying in the duel. He's smiling and laughing the whole time, up till Vegeta blasts him from behind. Sneak attacks are good distractions regardless of the power difference. Piccolo sent Freeza flying while Goku was charging the Genki Dama, even though Freeza was over 50x stronger than he was. Trunks did the same with Fat Buu when he was about to kill Vegeta. Power gaps don't mean all that much when the fighter's get sneak attacked.

[ABED]

That whole thing about the Dragon Balls never made sense to me. Porunga never asked to move any of the namekians, Vegeta or Gohan if they wanted to move.

Gohan is a fighter, it's not his passion but he's shown that he's willing to defend his values which is perfectly sufficient for the task. He did know what the results of fusion would be, if anything he underestimated its potency, especially when you factor in SS3. Goten and Trunks didn't seem to have any problem with having to defend the world.

I know it wasn't an in universe answer but when the creator creates inconsistencies, there is no good "in universe" explanation.

Goku saw his son's determination when he was teaching them the fusion dance.

Gohan wasn't being overwhelmed due to lack of power, it's lack of belief in himself, and once again, he would have to be far stronger than Cell to kill him. What good is the distraction if he didn't have the power to finish him off? Goku told Gohan, "this is not your best" right before the destraction. Gohan was holding back.

Gohan isn't a fighter though. The 7 years after the Cell Games prove that. He was forced into situations where he had to fight, but fighting was never his passion. Piccolo says as much to Goku during the fight with Cell.
As I've already said, power is irrelevant if you don't use it. Sure Gotenks could have killed Buu. But he was more interested in showing off. Goku had no idea what Gotenks would be like. He put the fate of the universe into the hands of a fighter he knew nothing about, when he was more than capable of ending the threat himself.
There is an in universe answer. You just don't like it.
He taught them the dance after he fought Buu. While fighting Buu, he knew nothing about their determination.
His attack would have to be far stronger than Cell, not Gohan himself. Big ki attacks amplify a person's power. Cell's Kamehameha was doing the same thing. And I could just as easily say that Cell wasn't even trying in the duel. He's smiling and laughing the whole time, up till Vegeta blasts him from behind. Sneak attacks are good distractions regardless of the power difference. Piccolo sent Freeza flying while Goku was charging the Genki Dama, even though Freeza was over 50x stronger than he was. Trunks did the same with Fat Buu when he was about to kill Vegeta. Power gaps don't mean all that much when the fighter's get sneak attacked.

How did Goku know Gohan wouldn't train? It's likely that he though Gohan learned his lesson. Fighting doesn't have to be a passion to defend his values. You ask too much of him, he's not omniscient.

I've already said, he couldn't have defeated Buu, I'm taking Goku at his word to Piccolo that he couldn't have defeated Buu. The only reason there's an in universe answer is because Toriyama contradicts himself. Why would he lie to Piccolo?

Piccolo sent Freeza flying, but the damage meant next to nothing. It would be like you or I being punched by a 10 year old, might be slightly painful, but it's more or less just a nuisance. They are just momentary distractions that don't amount to much, they are a minor inconvenience. Gohan needed to be far stronger than Cell to destroy every last trace.

But he didn't NEED to retcon that. What purpose does it serve other than putting Goku above Fat Buu, who wasn't even around anymore?

He needed Goku to be strong enough to fight Super Buu and Kid Buu. If he can't defeat Fat Buu, then how could he face the two stronger forms. Also, why would Goku hold back against Vegeta just to let out an enemy he wouldn't be around to fight? It doesn't make sense unless Toriyama had written those scenes thinking Goku was being earnest.

Why would Goku let Buu be released and leave it to someone else? I might buy that he would let Buu get released if he was alive to fight him.

[Kamiccolo9]

How did Goku know Gohan wouldn't train? It's likely that he though Gohan learned his lesson. Fighting doesn't have to be a passion to defend his values. You ask too much of him, he's not omniscient.

I've already said, he couldn't have defeated Buu, I'm taking Goku at his word to Piccolo that he couldn't have defeated Buu. The only reason there's an in universe answer is because Toriyama contradicts himself. Why would he lie to Piccolo?

Piccolo sent Freeza flying, but the damage meant next to nothing. It would be like you or I being punched by a 10 year old, might be slightly painful, but it's more or less just a nuisance. They are just momentary distractions that don't amount to much, they are a minor inconvenience. Gohan needed to be far stronger than Cell to destroy every last trace.

I'm expecting too much when I expect Goku to know his son? The son he just spent a year alone with?
And Goku later said that he could have beaten Buu. He lied to Piccolo. If you can't accept that, then there's no reason to continue the conversation. "Toryama changed his mind" is not an in universe answer.

Damage isn't the point. Vegeta distracted Cell, and Gohan took advantage of that. If Vegeta hadn't distracted Cell, Cell would have won. Cell was about to overwhelm Gohan right before Vegeta blasted him, as seen by his "NOW YOU DIE!!!!" comment. I imagine that if you were playing tug of war while having a staring contest with someone as strong as you, and a 10 year old walked behind you and punched you in the head, that you would lose concentration, and the other guy could take advantage of it. That's basically what was happening with Gohan and Cell.

[ABED]

He does know his son, he knew him better than Gohan knew himself. I don't think Gohan ever thought his son was a fighter at heart. He knew Gohan wanted to be a scholar, and I think there's even a line where he tells him that if he wants to be that, he has to defeat Cell first. And Piccolo wasn't right about Gohan, Gohan wasn't thinking "how could my father throw me to the wolves". We only hear Piccolo say that, but there's little reason to believe that's true. There was little reason to expect that Gohan would suddenly get cold feet.

The fact that Gohan might have lost had nothing to do with his lack of poewr. Gohan was just holding back, he didn't know how to dig down deep. This isn't a game of tug of war. Gohan was holding back because he was afraid of hurting the planet and wasn't using his full power. Goku kept telling Gohan that he was much stronger than Cell. Gohan didn't just defeat Cell, he overwhelmed him and disintegrated him. Look at the size of Gohan's blast, even Cell at his best wasn't showing that kind of power.

[Kamiccolo9]

He does know his son, he knew him better than Gohan knew himself. I don't think Gohan ever thought his son was a fighter at heart. He knew Gohan wanted to be a scholar, and I think there's even a line where he tells him that if he wants to be that, he has to defeat Cell first. And Piccolo wasn't right about Gohan, Gohan wasn't thinking "how could my father throw me to the wolves". We only hear Piccolo say that, but there's little reason to believe that's true. There was little reason to expect that Gohan would suddenly get cold feet.

The fact that Gohan might have lost had nothing to do with his lack of poewr. Gohan was just holding back, he didn't know how to dig down deep. This isn't a game of tug of war. Gohan was holding back because he was afraid of hurting the planet and wasn't using his full power. Goku kept telling Gohan that he was much stronger than Cell.

If Goku knew that Gohan was not a fighter at heart, why did he dump the responsibility of protecting the Earth on him? Goku chose not to come back. He was forcing Gohan to accept a responsibility he neither wanted, nor was well suited for. And seeing as Gohan didn't take the role seriously, it's obvious that Goku didn't know him that well.
When Piccolo says that, look at Goku's face. He realizes it too. Gohan is not Goku. Goku sent him to fight Cell thinking that he'd react the same way Goku would have. He didn't. Gohan doesn't enjoy fighting for the sake of fighting like Goku does. He didn't even go all out when Cell was torturing all of his friends with the Cell Jr's. Gohan did get cold feet. He flat out says that he doesn't want to fight.

As for the power thing, we never see Cell's full power. Vegeta gives Gohan an opening to kill Cell right before Cell unleashes his full power. They never actually fight. Cell blasts Vegeta, Gohan takes the hit, it breaks his arm, Cell launches a Kamehameha, Gohan launches one back, Cell overpowers Gohan the whole time, laughing and smiling, and little by little raising the power, while Gohan doubts himself. Cell never takes Gohan seriously after coming back from his self destruction; he plays with him.

And what was Goku supposed to say to Gohan? "You're weaker, and it'll take a miracle, but you can do this if you try hard enough!" Yeah, that would have helped out a lot.

[Kid Buu]

He needed Goku to be strong enough to fight Super Buu and Kid Buu. If he can't defeat Fat Buu, then how could he face the two stronger forms..

The retcon line happened way after Super Buu was long gone. As for Kid Buu, it was never established he was stronger than Fat Buu when that retcon happened.

[ABED]

He needed Goku to be strong enough to fight Super Buu and Kid Buu. If he can't defeat Fat Buu, then how could he face the two stronger forms..

The retcon line happened way after Super Buu was long gone. As for Kid Buu, it was never established he was stronger than Fat Buu when that retcon happened.

Which line, you're confusing me.

If Goku knew that Gohan was not a fighter at heart, why did he dump the responsibility of protecting the Earth on him? Goku chose not to come back. He was forcing Gohan to accept a responsibility he neither wanted, nor was well suited for. And seeing as Gohan didn't take the role seriously, it's obvious that Goku didn't know him that well.
When Piccolo says that, look at Goku's face. He realizes it too. Gohan is not Goku. Goku sent him to fight Cell thinking that he'd react the same way Goku would have. He didn't. Gohan doesn't enjoy fighting for the sake of fighting like Goku does. He didn't even go all out when Cell was torturing all of his friends with the Cell Jr's. Gohan did get cold feet. He flat out says that he doesn't want to fight.

As for the power thing, we never see Cell's full power. Vegeta gives Gohan an opening to kill Cell right before Cell unleashes his full power. They never actually fight. Cell blasts Vegeta, Gohan takes the hit, it breaks his arm, Cell launches a Kamehameha, Gohan launches one back, Cell overpowers Gohan the whole time, laughing and smiling, and little by little raising the power, while Gohan doubts himself. Cell never takes Gohan seriously after coming back from his self destruction; he plays with him.

And what was Goku supposed to say to Gohan? "You're weaker, and it'll take a miracle, but you can do this if you try hard enough!" Yeah, that would have helped out a lot.

There's little to suggest Goku was BSing Gohan. Lying to Gohan wouldn't have helped either if Gohan didn't in fact have the ability to back it up. Again, Gohan would need to be far more powerful to overwhelm Cell like that. A momentary distraction isn't enough for a weaker opponent to completely obliterate someone in the DB world. Hurt them? sure, but not destroy any trace.

Gohan did get cold feet. He doesn't have to enjoy a fight to fight. Cell was a danger to his friends and family, it's idiotic to think he could convince Cell to not fight. What the hell was he training for then? His "pacifism" came completely out of nowhere. I'll accept that Gohan doesn't know how to control and bring out his full power, and do think Goku was stupid not to tell his son about it, but not that he would have a problem fighting Cell. What was so different about Cell than a fight like against Freeza or Reacoom?

I know Gohan isn't Goku but you don't need to love fighting to defend the ones you love. He knew his son to that point and up to that time, ever since Vegeta, Gohan was willing to fight. Hell, Gohan turned SS because he was tired of letting the people he loved down. He went into the room of Spirit and Time of his own accord. That wasn't forced on him. Gohan didn't train, but he was to his knowledge the strongest being in the universe, I don't think even Goku could've known a being like Buu existed. To anyone's knowledge, Gohan was overwhelmingly the strongest in the universe. And Goku didn't think of himself as Earth's protector.

[Kamiccolo9]

There's little to suggest Goku was BSing Gohan. Again, Gohan would need to be far more powerful to overwhelm Cell like that. A momentary distraction isn't enough for a weaker opponent to completely obliterate someone in the DB world. Hurt them? sure, but not destroy any trace.

I know Gohan isn't Goku but you don't need to love fighting to defend the ones you love. He knew his son to that point and up to that time, ever since Vegeta, Gohan was willing to fight. Hell, Gohan turned SS because he was tired of letting the people he loved down. He went into the room of Spirit and Time of his own accord. That wasn't forced on him. Gohan didn't train, but he was to his knowledge the strongest being in the universe, I don't think even Goku could've known a being like Buu existed. To anyone's knowledge, Gohan was overwhelmingly the strongest in the universe. And Goku didn't think of himself as Earth's protector.

That's how ki attacks work. They heavily amplify ki. Goku was going to do the same thing to Pure Buu, who was just as strong, if not stronger, than he was. Piccolo and Krillin were planning on Gohan doing the same thing against Nappa. The only difference here is that it actually worked. Gohan chickened out the first time, and Goku was unable to gather power against Buu. Vegeta's attack didn't do any damage; it distracted Cell so he couldn't overcome Gohan's. Cell wasn't going all out at that point.

We never see Gohan's reason for becoming SSJ in the manga. Goku tells him to imagine his friends being killed by Freeza, and that doesn't work. He doesn't become SSJ until later, and we don't see the context. Unless you're counting the anime, in which case, I must ask, why?
Gohan is willing to train because everyone is constantly telling him how much they need him. Piccolo does it in the Saiyan Arc, and Goku does it in the early and late Android Arc. It's obvious that Goku has never actually talked to his son about how he feels about fighting. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been shocked by Gohan's behavior against Cell.
Goku expected Gohan to train, which is why he's surprised that he's slacked off so much in the Buu Arc.
If Gohan was so overwhelmingly stronger than everyone, then what was the risk in Goku staying alive? Like you said, no one could have reasonably expected the Buu Arc to happen. And if Goku never considered himself protector of Earth, where does he get off expecting that out of Gohan? And what gives him the moral authority to put the lives of countless beings in the hands of Gotenks, a fighter that doesn't even exist when Goku makes his decision?

[dbzfan7]

Which is why that sudden pacifism is totally out of character. It made the whole Room of Spirit and Time training make no sense.

[ABED]

There's little to suggest Goku was BSing Gohan. Again, Gohan would need to be far more powerful to overwhelm Cell like that. A momentary distraction isn't enough for a weaker opponent to completely obliterate someone in the DB world. Hurt them? sure, but not destroy any trace.

I know Gohan isn't Goku but you don't need to love fighting to defend the ones you love. He knew his son to that point and up to that time, ever since Vegeta, Gohan was willing to fight. Hell, Gohan turned SS because he was tired of letting the people he loved down. He went into the room of Spirit and Time of his own accord. That wasn't forced on him. Gohan didn't train, but he was to his knowledge the strongest being in the universe, I don't think even Goku could've known a being like Buu existed. To anyone's knowledge, Gohan was overwhelmingly the strongest in the universe. And Goku didn't think of himself as Earth's protector.

That's how ki attacks work. They heavily amplify ki. Goku was going to do the same thing to Pure Buu, who was just as strong, if not stronger, than he was. Piccolo and Krillin were planning on Gohan doing the same thing against Nappa. The only difference here is that it actually worked. Gohan chickened out the first time, and Goku was unable to gather power against Buu. Vegeta's attack didn't do any damage; it distracted Cell so he couldn't overcome Gohan's. Cell wasn't going all out at that point.

We never see Gohan's reason for becoming SSJ in the manga. Goku tells him to imagine his friends being killed by Freeza, and that doesn't work. He doesn't become SSJ until later, and we don't see the context. Unless you're counting the anime, in which case, I must ask, why?
Gohan is willing to train because everyone is constantly telling him how much they need him. Piccolo does it in the Saiyan Arc, and Goku does it in the early and late Android Arc. It's obvious that Goku has never actually talked to his son about how he feels about fighting. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been shocked by Gohan's behavior against Cell.
Goku expected Gohan to train, which is why he's surprised that he's slacked off so much in the Buu Arc.
If Gohan was so overwhelmingly stronger than everyone, then what was the risk in Goku staying alive? Like you said, no one could have reasonably expected the Buu Arc to happen. And if Goku never considered himself protector of Earth, where does he get off expecting that out of Gohan? And what gives him the moral authority to put the lives of countless beings in the hands of Gotenks, a fighter that doesn't even exist when Goku makes his decision?

In the Cell arc, Gohan wants to train with Piccolo and his father, he wants to be of help. They don't beg him, it's something he shows excitement about. He's constantly trying to help out despite not being anywhere near Piccolo, much less a Super Saiyan's power in the early part of that arc. Gohan shows little reluctance when he's on Namek. In fact, he picks a fight with Dodoria, when he could've run away. I completely buy the anime's explanation as to why Gohan turns SS. It's not a stretch to infer that Gohan turned Super Saiyan because he thought of Cell/Freeza killing his friends. Gohan's desire to protect them had to play a part in it. He doesn't have to love fighting to fight Cell. It wasn't about that, it was about protecting his loved ones, which Gohan does plenty of times.

It's conjecture that Nappa would've been killed by Gohan's blast. Perhaps, but we don't know for sure. The Z Team was CONSTANTLY surprised by the depth of Nappa's power.

There's still some risk, even if Gohan's stronger, there are enemies that can destroy planets and survive, such as Buu and Cell. It's not a stretch to think Goku might be worried that an enemy like them could come after him. At worst, you can say he's naive. It wasn't coming from a place of malice and Earth was by and large safe with Gohan. It wasn't asking too much of Gohan to stay sharp. Hell, all he had to do was maintain.

Gotenks didn't exist, but Goku knew the power of fusion.

[Kamiccolo9]

In the Cell arc, Gohan wants to train with Piccolo and his father, he wants to be of help. They don't beg him, it's something he shows excitement about. He's constantly trying to help out despite not being anywhere near Piccolo, much less a Super Saiyan's power in the early part of that arc. Gohan shows little reluctance when he's on Namek. In fact, he picks a fight with Dodoria, when he could've run away. I completely buy the anime's explanation as to why Gohan turns SS.

It's conjecture that Nappa would've been killed by Gohan's blast. Perhaps, but we don't know for sure. The Z Team was CONSTANTLY surprised by the depth of Nappa's power.

There's still some risk, even if Gohan's stronger, there are enemies that can destroy planets and survive, such as Buu and Cell. It's not a stretch to think Goku might be worried that an enemy like them could come after him. At worst, you can say he's naive. It wasn't coming from a place of malice and Earth was by and large safe with Gohan.

Gotenks didn't exist, but Goku knew the power of fusion.

Goku flat out tells Chi-Chi that they need Gohan. And Gohan knew that if they didn't train, then everyone would die, just like in Trunks' timeline. What was he supposed to do? Sit on his ass and study until the world destroying Androids show up? The only time we see Gohan when he's not pressured to train, he doesn't train. Goku's homeostasis is training, Gohan's is not. He wants to be relatively normal.

He got mad and lost control against Dodoria. That wasn't a conscious decision.
If you accept the anime's explanation, then there is way more stuff you have to deal with as well. Anime Goku was capable of easily killing Super Buu. Yet he constantly holds back against him so as not to hurt Vegeta's feelings, or some crap like that.
For the rest of the time on Namek, what was he supposed to do? Stand by and let his friends get killed?
He went to Namek to bring Piccolo and the others back to life, not to fight aliens.
If the Earth was safe with Gohan, why did Goku feel it necessary to stay dead? What could Gohan do without Goku there that he couldn't do with Goku there? If anything, Goku could help Gohan become even stronger. It would at least be better than abandoning his wife and son(s). What's more, he was surprised about Goten, so he apparently didn't even occasionally check up on his family.

[ABED]

In the Cell arc, Gohan wants to train with Piccolo and his father, he wants to be of help. They don't beg him, it's something he shows excitement about. He's constantly trying to help out despite not being anywhere near Piccolo, much less a Super Saiyan's power in the early part of that arc. Gohan shows little reluctance when he's on Namek. In fact, he picks a fight with Dodoria, when he could've run away. I completely buy the anime's explanation as to why Gohan turns SS.

It's conjecture that Nappa would've been killed by Gohan's blast. Perhaps, but we don't know for sure. The Z Team was CONSTANTLY surprised by the depth of Nappa's power.

There's still some risk, even if Gohan's stronger, there are enemies that can destroy planets and survive, such as Buu and Cell. It's not a stretch to think Goku might be worried that an enemy like them could come after him. At worst, you can say he's naive. It wasn't coming from a place of malice and Earth was by and large safe with Gohan.

Gotenks didn't exist, but Goku knew the power of fusion.

Goku flat out tells Chi-Chi that they need Gohan. And Gohan knew that if they didn't train, then everyone would die, just like in Trunks' timeline. What was he supposed to do? Sit on his ass and study until the world destroying Androids show up? The only time we see Gohan when he's not pressured to train, he doesn't train. Goku's homeostasis is training, Gohan's is not. He wants to be relatively normal.

He got mad and lost control against Dodoria. That wasn't a conscious decision.
If you accept the anime's explanation, then there is way more stuff you have to deal with as well. Anime Goku was capable of easily killing Super Buu. Yet he constantly holds back against him so as not to hurt Vegeta's feelings, or some crap like that.
For the rest of the time on Namek, what was he supposed to do? Stand by and let his friends get killed?
He went to Namek to bring Piccolo and the others back to life, not to fight aliens.
If the Earth was safe with Gohan, why did Goku feel it necessary to stay dead? What could Gohan do without Goku there that he couldn't do with Goku there? If anything, Goku could help Gohan become even stronger. It would at least be better than abandoning his wife and son(s). What's more, he was surprised about Goten, so he apparently didn't even occasionally check up on his family.

Gohan shows NO reluctance. It would be one thing if he resigned himself to the knowledge that his power was neccessary, but he wanted to train.

He was mad but he showed zero fear afterwards.

I don't have to accept everything the anime says or even toriyama says. Toriyama even contradicts himself. Gohan's reason for turning SS in the anime contradicts nothing we know about him.

What's he supposed to do against Cell, see everything he loves destroyed?

He did go to Namek to help Piccolo, but he doesn't fear fighting and doesn't run away from it unless it's a tactical retreat.

You will keep looking for stuff to be pissed at. Now he refuses to look in on his family? He's not the best family man, but it's conjecture that Kaio would tell him about his family. It's never brought up.

I already went over your last point, Gohan can handle himself but Goku might attract a being that while not more powerful than Gohan, could destroy the world because Goku was there. His logic however mistaken, is that he's a bad luck charm, and powerful evil seems to find him wherever he is.

[Kaboom]

I think you're both right when it comes to Gohan's motivations for training. Unlike Goku or Vegeta, training and fighting isn't Gohan's favorite pastime, but he does have a strong sense of justice and responsibility. So when there's an actual looming threat or a present need to get stronger, he wants to help. He'll train and fight, and some of that deeply-suppressed Saiyan nature will shine through in the process. But when things are peaceful, there's other things he'd much rather be doing.

[ABED]

I think you're both right when it comes to Gohan's motivations for training. Unlike Goku or Vegeta, training and fighting isn't Gohan's favorite pastime, but he does have a strong sense of justice and responsibility. So when there's an actual looming threat or a present need to get stronger, he wants to help. He'll train and fight, and some of that deeply-suppressed Saiyan nature will shine through in the process. But when things are peaceful, there's other things he'd much rather be doing.

Kaboom put it much more succinctly than I did.

[Kamiccolo9]

Gohan shows NO reluctance. It would be one thing if he resigned himself to the knowledge that his power was neccessary, but he wanted to train.

He was mad but he showed zero fear afterwards.

I don't have to accept everything the anime says or even toriyama says. Toriyama even contradicts himself. Gohan's reason for turning SS in the anime contradicts nothing we know about him.

What's he supposed to do against Cell, see everything he loves destroyed?

He did go to Namek to help Piccolo, but he doesn't fear fighting and doesn't run away from it unless it's a tactical retreat.

You will keep looking for stuff to be pissed at. Now he refuses to look in on his family? He's not the best family man, but it's conjecture that Kaio would tell him about his family. It's never brought up.

I already went over your last point, Gohan can handle himself but Goku might attract a being that while not more powerful than Gohan, could destroy the world because Goku was there. His logic however mistaken, is that he's a bad luck charm, and powerful evil seems to find him wherever he is.

It's been driven into him that his power is necessary numerous times. And this is his dad talking to him. Gohan worships Goku. He's not gonna say no.
Because he was mad. Gohan doesn't think when he's mad. He was plenty scared when he and Krillin were running from Dodoria a few pages later.
The only reason you haven't accepted what Toryama wrote in the manga concerning the Buu Arc is because it makes Goku into a character that is unlikable. But if you're cherry picking facts from both the manga and the anime, there is no point to this discussion.
That's my point. When there is an immediate threat, Gohan is willing to step in. But after Cell died, there wasn't one. Just 7 years of peace. Goku would have kept up his training (and did) even in peacetime, and he expected Gohan to do the same, which is why he's surprised that he didn't. Goku was expecting Gohan to act like him without understanding that Gohan was his own person.
You keep trying to find ways to defend him. What Goku did in the Buu Arc was criminally stupid, and resulted in the deaths of every human except one. He had numerous chances to prevent that from happening, yet he kept passing the buck to his kids. Goku directly caused Buu to wake up by not stomping Vegeta, he should take responsibility for his own actions, not let his sons clean up his mess. Kaioshin asked Goku to come with him to help against Babidi, when the god of gods doesn't mind a dead guy helping the world of the living, you don't argue with him.

Edit: Kaboom, I think I covered what you mentioned here. The problem is, Goku was expecting Gohan to keep up his training during peacetime. He believes that Gohan will act the same way he would, which is obviously not the case.

[Kaboom]

Edit: Kaboom, I think I covered what you mentioned here. The problem is, Goku was expecting Gohan to keep up his training during peacetime. He believes that Gohan will act the same way he would, which is obviously not the case.

Well, yeah, Goku will be Goku. "What do you mean someone DOESN'T think training is fun and awesome?" That's more Goku's fault for expecting it than Gohan's for not doing it.