Q:My 22-year-old boyfriend (who’s not married but has a son) forced me one day to go with him to a hotel and to have sex with him against my will. (“Nanlaban ako”)I Fought to no avail. Should I file a case against my boyfriend?

A:Are you emotionally ready to relieve the trauma in court? Are there witnesses to prove your boyfriend forced you into having sex with him? Are you financially ready for a court battle? Do you have supportive family and friends?

Consider these questions before making a decision. Court hearings are never easy – especially the detailed, intimate cross-examination. That’s why many rape cases go unreported.

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What a joyful privilege I had to be able to celebrate the United Nations Year of the Family at Andrews University in Michigan with Family Life International participants from many places of the world! I really thank God for opening that wonderful door for me at a time when family values and family wellness are on focus worldwide. Indeed the conference theme, I believe, best described the expectations of all present – “Restoring Families: Turning Hearts in a Troubled World.”

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Young people frequently complain, “I can’t talk to my parents” or “My parents just don’t understand me.” Often this really isn’t true, but it may be the impression you get because your parents don’t know how to handle talking with you about some of the things you want and need to know. They may be confused about how to treat you. Half the time they are telling you to grow up, and the other half they may be treating you like a baby.

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Not every book is a good book, of course. Many children’s books are shoddily written and poorly illustrated, and far too many use of words or deal with themes that are inappropriate.

So what can you do? Here are some suggestions:

1. Talk to the Experts.

Children’s librarians can provide suggestions for books for children of all ages.

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Negativism, Stubbornness and Disobedience.

It is common practice among Filipino parents to call their child “hardheaded” or “stubborn” because he has been disobedient. It has thus become difficult to tell from the parents’ statements whether the child’s behavior or problematic or not.

For example, at around the age of two or three, your child will develop a tendency to say “no,” along with other negative phrases like “I won’t,” “I don’t” and “I can’t.” This is most likely to happen at mealtime, bedtime or bathtime, or whenever you issue a command. Some children say “no” so relentlessly that they say it even when they mean “yes.”

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It is estimated that annually 7,000 teenagers kill themselves, one million think about it, and 400,000 attempts are made.

The magnitude of this problem demands that people know and understand the warning signs of suicide. What once was confined to discussion in hushed tones has become the focus of network news programs and other television broadcasts.

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