On interactions with males

Dear Michelle,

As you get older (and especially as you navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence), you will find yourself the subject of a great many males who want nothing more than to have sex with you. Ultimately, this is your choice to make, and I will always love you, no matter which choice you make. I would like to help you make the best choice you can, and I will always be here to offer you advice and help you decide which is the best option for you. But right now, I want to make sure you understand something very important about the way that men and women interact.

Firstly, you must understand that men and women are different, no matter what the radical extremists would have you believe. Because men produce millions of sperm and are not physically attached to their offspring, those who have the most surviving children are those who impregnate the most women. Women, however, produce a small number of available eggs, and are burdened with nine months of pregnancy and a lifetime of care for their offspring in the event that they do conceive a child. Thus, the women who have the most surviving children are the ones that can find a partner who will remain with them and provide support for the child-raising process.

Because of this, men are hard-wired to want sex, lots of sex, and only sex. Women, on the other hand, are hard-wired to want emotional commitment. So whenever you are frustrated with your boyfriend/spouse/romantic partner, just remember that, and you'll understand why.

Secondly, however, you must also remember that not all men are like that. Just as there are women who crave sex without emotional involvement, so too are there men who crave love and commitment. So it's important, when you meet a man, not to automatically assume that he's only interested in sleeping with you. It's good to be aware that he's probably only interested in sleeping with you, but it's not fair to him (or to you) to dismiss him entirely for that reason. Give him a chance, get to know him, find out for sure if he wants nothing else first. Be aware that it's a possibility, but don't discount the potential mates because of the majority of jerks.

That's my advice for you today. Until next time, I bid you farewell.