DEAR ABBY: I am a 17-year-old girl and have just gotten out of a seven-month relationship. I was a virgin until this relationship. I told my boyfriend, "Gavin," that I was a virgin and wanted to wait until I trusted him and felt that I loved him.
Well, the time came that I felt I did love and trust him, so I went ahead and had sex with him. After one month, Gavin decided he was sick of me! It seems like as soon as we started having sex, things started going downhill. I feel so hurt and used, I'm now starting to view sex negatively.
I know I'm young and have years of relationships in front of me. But are all men just out there for sex? If they are, it just doesn't seem worth it. -- HURT AND CONFUSED
DEAR HURT AND CONFUSED: You have my sympathy. It appears that Gavin was more interested in the challenge you presented than in a lasting relationship. Not all men are that way, but most in your age group are because they are not yet emotionally or financially ready for a marriage commitment. Remember that, and you may avoid future heartache.