Sex With Boyfriend Causes Parental Problems

Dear Harlan,

I just turned 18. My problems all started when my parents found out that I had sex with my boyfriend. My parents took extreme measures to keep me away from him. I graduated from high school with honors and am going to attend college in the fall, but I have a big issue facing me. I love my boyfriend deeply, and I would like to continue being with him. But my parents said that if I do that, I must move out of the house.

Confused

Dear Confused,

Note to parents: Forcing your teenage daughter to move out of the house and in with her boyfriend will result in your daughter having more sex with her boyfriend, growing closer to him and growing further from you.

Advice to Confused: Figure out if this is about your boyfriend or about your having sex. If it's your boyfriend, find out specifically what your parents have a problem with. Parents' opinions are actually worth something. Once you get clarification, thank them for caring so much (that will throw them) and figure out what YOU want. If you move out, make sure you can move back in or with someone else if things go bad. The last thing you want is to depend on a boyfriend for everything. But as an honors student, you should know that.