boundaries

I think you are reading this situation absolutely right. That thing he’s doing, when you reach out to talk and he requests pictures and then threatens to break up if you won’t? That is a truly manipulative and toxic dynamic. It’s also a major red flag in terms of a relationship being abusive…

Oof, this is a tough spot, and I’m sorry you’ve found yourself in it. I want to start by saying that your instincts, and what you’ve been hearing, are spot on. When you sense that someone you care about is being isolated by a partner, especially a partner with a history of harassment and assault, it…

First off, I want to say that it takes an incredible amount of strength to have gone through (and continue to go through) what you have and survive. You’ve managed to grown and thrive in spite of other people doing awful things to you. That’s not nothing. And that strength is going to come in handy…

Hi Freckle Face, There are a couple of things in your question that I want to address. The first is that you are, correctly, noticing that your friends are applying a double standard when it comes to talking about sex with you. Now, to be clear, people have different levels of comfort around…

This is one of those situations that I think is telling you it’s time to start claiming – and insisting upon – your independence. I kept the title you chose for this because it’s clear you know what the problem is: control. The solution is about control, too: you taking control of your own life…

Then don’t! Here’s a feast of support and help for those who want to say no, not now, or not-like-this to sex or sexual relationships.

Have you been forgoing time with friends to hang out with your significant other, or vice versa? Either way, read on for help in dealing with this sticky predicament.

Sparknolee’s question continued: Whenever we’re out, he says he sees boys look at me and he wants to punch them. I find this is too far as he even admitted himself he sees “hot girls” when he’s out but has assured that he never sees them as a girlfriend. I understand that. Whenever he says he…

He doesn’t want to engage in sex with condoms (or, I assume, anything that would reduce your risks of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections). You don’t want to engage in sex without those things. So, your limit, a limit you need to make clear to him, is that you won’t engage in sex without…

BeckisBack’s question continued: I’ve never been sexual with any of my boyfriends. I merely look for acceptance and affection in a relationship, and do the same for them in return. Another thing I will not do is exploit my body, and even though I trust him very much, I don’t want to send a picture…