Parents & Family / Question
Published: April 27, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am 14 years old. Today I was going to clear my history on the family computer until I stumbled upon some "adult websites" that I have never visited. I knew it was my Dad because I have had this problem with him before but i did not do anything about it. I soon discovered that they were about female escorts in my area which are prostitutes. My Mom and Dad are married and I have no idea what to do. Should I approach my Dad? Should I tell my Mom? I know that my Mom loves my Dad very much and I feel really bad. Now, I don't want to trust my Dad anymore, is he really going to meetings at night or is he seeing some one else? I am very upset about this and I really would like to hear back from you as soon as possible. I appreciate your time. Thanks
Signed: Father Looked Up Female Escort Services On The Computer - What Do I Do?
Dear Father Looked Up Female Escort Services On The Computer - What Do I Do?,
TeenHealthFX can certainly appreciate the dilemma that you are in and can understand the concern you have about what you found. We suggest that you start out by privately speaking to your father about this. Let him know that in clearing the computer’s history you came across these adult escort service websites, which you are assuming are from his use. Tell him your concerns about having found these in terms of your relationship with him and your worries about what this means about your parents’ relationship with one another.
After speaking to your father, where you go from there will depend largely on what you get out of your conversation with him. If you are still confused about how to handle the situation once you have spoken to him, then FX recommends that you seek out the guidance and support of a trusted adult. You could speak with a school counselor, private therapist or a trusted teacher at school. Or you could even write back to FX with an update to get some further help with this situation.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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