Straight Talk For Teens By Teens

Dear Straight Talk: I felt badly for the 7th grade girl whose mom didn’t want her to shave until 8th grade. My daughters started shaving in 6th grade and though I didn’t want them to, it was important for them to feel comfortable around their peers. When I think about what some mothers let…

Dear Straight Talk: I’m writing in regard to “Julie” who wanted to start shaving her legs. I have never shaved, and have never wanted to. From a young age I’ve had an appreciation for the beauty of my body that no social pressure can take from me. Because of that, I’ve wanted to keep my body…

Dear Straight Talk: I’m 12 and I just started seventh grade. I’m having a disagreement with my mom over the right age to begin shaving. I want to shave now and my mom wants me to wait until eighth grade. It’s been so bad between us we agreed to write you and will do whatever you say.—Julie,…

Dear Straight Talk: My son, 16,  is a lot different than I was as a teenager and I keep my mouth shut in order to keep peace with his mother (also my wife), and let him “do his thing”—which mostly seems to be video games and skateboarding. Now, I’ve discovered that his “thing” includes…

Dear Straight Talk: My son is 17 and as his father, I never thought I’d be writing your group of teens but I need some input. My son is normal in every way that I can tell: he gets good grades, he has a part-time job, he plays sports (basketball), he has a girlfriend—which I presume is an…