Son, 17, wants to have sex at home

Dear Carolyn: We have been lucky to have open communication with our boys about sex over the years. Now they are 16 and 17 and have girlfriends. The 17-year-old is having sex and wants me to allow his 18-year-old girlfriend to spend the night. I have convinced them to get on the pill, but I feel like they should be having sex in the back seats of cars like the rest of us had to. (Ha, just a little humor there!)

But seriously, I have given a lot of weak-sounding reasons why they can’t have sleepovers, but I really need some heavier artillery.

Should I stand my ground, or do you think I should just go ahead and host their sex lives? – The Reluctant Hostess

Not unless you think it’s a good idea. You’re the parent and this is your house and that does come with privileges.

It’s a huge leap from “It’s his life” to “It’s his bedroom,” though, one a lot of parents rightly don’t feel comfortable making, even while acknowledging the practical absurdity of the result: “You have my blessing to sneak around and get a little wherever you can – responsibly!”

This brings us back to the head-of-household privilege. No matter how free the country, we’re all subject to certain restrictions. Laws are the big ones, but we’re also limited (or liberated) by our physical abilities; our acceptance by and responsibilities to schools, employers and other institutions; and our financial means.

Your 17-year-old boy is not only still a minor, but also does not have the financial and institutional standing to support himself. Instead, he lives at home, becoming an adult incrementally on his parents’ dime. It makes no sense for parents to absorb the money and decision-making burdens of adulthood while just handing their kids the perks. If Junior wants to play house, then he can rent house. If he doesn’t like the back seat, then he can be resourceful, or abstinent.