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Dear Breakup Girl,

I've been in quite a few relationships for my age (15), a lot more than most of my peers. And I am sad to announce that I have literally come to the point where I despise males. I mean, yeah, I can be attracted to guys but I have no trust or faith in them whatsoever, not even my father. I believe that I have just faced the harsh reality of the male persona. But everyone else says it's a serious problem. When I speak out about my feeling on men, my mom and dad just scold me. What kind of help can I get or do I need? I don't want to feel doomed with men for the rest of my life. Can you help me?

--Erin

Dear Erin,

Well, first remind yourself that my boyfriend exists. So does my boyfriend. Plus all the other superb guys I hang out with who know I exist. But I know, it's not like you're looking for counterpoints Out There; you're trying to retrust from the inside. But how, for real?

Here's what our Belleruth has to say: "Declaring all men a waste is not only not so, little cutie, it's taking the easy way out. You need to look at how you're contributing to this downbeat perception: are you picking the troglodytes (which come in female, too)? Being indiscriminate? Giving mixed messages about your worth? Doing the sleep around and then feel emptier thing? You tell me."

If so, well there you go. What harsh-ish reality inside your bad self are you asking boys to help you lift? You tell you. If not, just give the boys a rest for a while. Go out and play with folks you trust, just to remember what it feels like. When you feel your comfort level rising -- which I trust you will -- I'm sure you can find another way to bug your parents.

Love,
BR and BG

PS: We assume nothing particularly weird has happened with your dad. Correct us if we're wrong.

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