I feel hurt, used. Are all men this way?

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! I feel so hurt and used, I’m now starting to view sex negatively.

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. 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. Dear Abby: I am 23, happily married and have two children. My question involves my 4½year-old, “Shelly.” Her biological father left me after he found out I was pregnant.

Since then, I have married a wonderful man I met days before Shelly was born. He has adopted her, and he is the only daddy she has ever known.

My question is: When would be the best age for me to tell her about this?

Clueless in Michigan Dear Clueless: Your daughter should be told as soon as she’s old enough to understand the difference between “biological” father and “adoptive” father. And when you do, tell her that her daddy fell in love with you both at the same time.