Are pushover people cowards? Be honest

My family calls me a pushover and way too nice and soft heard and I’m too stubborn to listen to their advice and refuse to do anything to get respect and I keep crying about it. My male cousin said it’s a pathetic that a young woman can’t even stand up for herself and let’s people push her around and talk to her that way. No wonder dad was frustrated and called me weak right in my face. He kept getting into my face to see if I would react but I didn’t and started crying and fell down. My dad said, “You’re pathetic. At least I have one daughter that isn’t a pushover and actually has respect for herself and a STRONG WOMAN.”
My ex best friend called me a coward because I’m too nice to stand up for myself.