I am 18 years old, daughter of divorced parents and have a boyfriend who is 21 and was a friend of mine for one and a half years. Then we have started to be a couple and after 5 weeks of dating we had our first sexual relationship. I agreed to it without being pressured. He, already economically independent, has a bad reputation regarding girls that has also been confirmed by my father who knows him. I love him a lot but fear that I am only another adventure for him. How should I behave myself towards him?

You need to be very careful with your relationship. First of all because of the background information about him you have provided me and secondly because you have already got to the level of a direct sexual relationship.

The economical independence is an advantage for him and a disadvantage for you. You are almost entering the stage of adulthood, leaving you adolescence behind whereas he is already consolidating his position as a young adult.

His behaviour regarding the girls could be something normal for his age but he, with whom you have made love, sees it only as an act - according his background - and it doesn't allow you to judge whether he loves you or not.

You simply had your first sexual experience with him and there is no need to regret that because you did on your own free will and have taken all the precautions to prevent pregnancy.

The question is, whether YOU want him and HE wants you and whether YOU love him and HE loves you. If it was so, no superior force can separate you. The other problem is whether it is advisable to be together with him at the age of 18 when considering your future.

You are already facing the separation of your parents and this is an element that will influence your future decisions regarding your partner. You probably do not want to fail the day you decide for a definite life time partner.

You should be aware of the commitment that implies such an intimate relationship and the health risk you run since he has had sexual relationships with other girls before.

Remember that you are just 18 years old, that you have plans, like studying and getting the best out of your life, no matter what it might be but for all that you shouldn't get involved too much in a relationship that is so insecure. Perhaps it would be better to leave this experience behind in order to achieve a future like you dream and want it to be.

The fact that you have had a sexual relationship with him doesn't make you more experienced neither more woman. But it will help you to mature, to reflect your acts well and to understand that a break up with this boy would not be the end of the world and that there are many out there that would constitute a better partner.

I think you should take the time to reflect this relationship well and - although it might seem hard to do - perhaps even finish it. This is my advice based on the background information you have given me.

Asked by a girl from Venezuela