Friends / Question
Published: November 15, 1999
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My parents don't like my two best friends because they get into trouble at school and sometimes they turn on me and treat me badly. I always forgive them but my mom says they're not real friends. Is she right?
Signed: Real Friends or Not!
Dear Real Friends or Not!,
It sounds like your parents are very concerned about your well being and do not like to see you treated badly. They are trying to warn you and protect you from being hurt in the future.
FX does not know if these are your real friends or not, only you can answer if these relationships are worth it. It is important to have friends that treat you good, and that you can talk to and rely on. Friends should not treat each other badly or turn on you. You may want to talk to your friends about this or widen your scope of friends. Join a club or a sport and see how others treat you. This may give you some idea if these friends are real.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
About a third of women who seek services related to unprotected sex, such as pregnancy testing or emergency contraception, do not receive STD counseling, testing, or treatment.
