Dear rnd123,

Well, there is absolutely no excuse for that. The more people feel the need to brag and make fun of their sexual experiences, the more insecure they probably are.

There are folks who actually think that that kind of behavior will make them seem more desirable, as if they believe it pays to advertise that they are sexually experienced. Of course, they are also advertising the fact that they are being jerks. They just don't have much concern about the privacy, feelings, and comfort of the people they say they care about. And they are certainly not going to attract loving and caring people with such behavior.

Being mean is a form of emotional abuse, and it's not a sign of a healthy relationship. The basic qualities of a healthy, loving relationship include

• respect
• trust
• honesty
• fairness
• equality
• good communication

These are not the qualities of relationships in which one partner abuses the other with public ridicule. Some teens find it helpful to evaluate their relationship to see if it's good for them. You may want to ask yourself, "Does my partner respect me? Do I respect him? Do I trust him? Is he always honest with me? Am I always honest with him? Do we treat each other fairly and equally?"

You might want to talk with someone you trust about your boyfriend's behavior. Sometimes having an outsider's perspective is helpful. And sometimes, as hard as it can be, it's best to throw in the towel and recognize when a relationship might be more trouble than it's worth.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.