DEAR ABBY: What percentage of women’s problems do you think could be avoided if, for the first year after beginning to date someone, they were to use birth control and not marry? Many of the women who write to you seem to be shocked that the men they’re with do not have sterling characters. But […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 20-year-old female with five younger brothers and sisters. My 18-year-old sister is my biological sister, while my youngest four siblings are adopted. At the beginning of the year I discovered my 14-year-old brother has been peeping on my sister. When my parents found out, they sent him to counseling, but my […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating the greatest man I’ve ever met in my life for three years. “Jared” has wonderful kids and a successful career. He’s handsome and is kind to me, my kids and my family. We enjoy each other immensely, and we are now engaged. We are social drinkers, but about once […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m 15. I have dated since I was 12 but never told my parents and sort of went out of my way to hide it from them. I had sex when I was 13, but was always careful about using birth control. I’m on the pill and always use condoms. I got pregnant […]

DEAR ABBY: Since Halloween is nearly here, I have a question about trick-or-treating. Last year on Halloween I was sitting down for an early dinner that was planned for 5 p.m. so we wouldn’t be disturbed by trick-or-treaters. Suddenly the doorbell rang. When I answered, I was bombarded with requests for candy from three boys […]

DEAR ABBY: When my husband and I married, I thought I had hit the jackpot in mothers-in-law. We were becoming friends, going shopping together, etc. Boy, was I wrong. Now, five years later, I can’t stand her. Just 15 minutes with her sends me over the edge. She’s rude, judgmental, and gossips like a teenager […]

DEAR ABBY: I am 24 and graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I am currently living with my parents. They are a bit controlling and hate resistance from me. I grew up doing everything they told me with no personal opinions of my own, until I met my fiance a year […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m 13, and a few weeks ago I met a guy online, got his number and we texted — a lot. Before I knew it, we were flirting up a storm. He lives in Tennessee and I’m in Texas. He’s the same age as I am, so I don’t see anything wrong with […]

DEAR ABBY: I have recently developed what I consider to be a very healthy lifestyle. I exercise, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and mostly whole foods. My problem is I think I may be becoming obsessed. It has become harder and harder to eat away from home. I constantly plan what I’m going to […]

DEAR ABBY: This is in response to “Worried Mom in Gainesville, Fla.” (July 13), whose son was not allowed to re-enlist in the Marine Corps. I hate to say this, but that young man knew darned well when he got those tattoos he would not be able to re-enlist. The U.S. Navy (which the Marine […]