Dear 11. soc,

I’m 16, and my 17th birthday is approaching. For my present I want to throw a party and invite all my friends, or to get the latest phone. But my parents won’t let me do any of this. This year I have been a good child for my parents, but still they don’t let me do anything. However, my brother got both for his birthday, and then some. How should I tell them that it’s not fair? And how should I convince them?

Dear Reader,

I think you should prepare for a deep talk about equality with your parents. You have to let them know that you’ve been a good kid this year and that you deserve at least one of the things that you really would like to have as a present for your birthday. If you had the talk with them and they still don’t agree with you, then you should think about what you did in the past or just ask your parents why they don’t want you to have a birthday party and have a new phone.

Dear 11. soc,

As a teenager, I really like to party. But there aren’t many parties in my village, so my friends and I go to other cities or villages to party with our other friends. It happens often on holidays, but my parents don’t like it. They are too negative about this, but all I want is to relax and have a good time with friends. The problem is also that my mom and dad don’t like my friends. I have explained that nothing bad can happen and my friends can be trusted, but they do not listen to me. How do I explain that I have a life and things I want to do without control?

Dear Reader,

Your parents are just worried, and that’s normal. Maybe they don’t want you to go because they know what almost all the time happens in parties —drugs, alcohol, and sex for example. You are also in another city and might even stay there for the night. That’s also a reason why they don’t allow you to go.  Maybe they know your friends and gossip about them and their families . They just want to protect you. But if nothing bad has happened at parties, then you should convince your mother that they can trust you and that you can call her anytime you want.

Dear 11. soc,

I have a best friend who has a really toxic boyfriend. She’s 17, but he’s 18 years old. They attend the same school. The boy always flirts with other girls. Some time ago he even tried to kiss me. When I told my best friend about it, she didn’t believe me and thought I was just trying to break them up. She started ignoring me, which went on for 3 days. After a while they broke up, and we were very close again. That guy started meeting another girl, but a month later he started writing to my friend again and they started their relationship for the third time. I don’t like this guy very much, but I see that my best friend is very much in love with him, despite the fact that this guy has cheated on her several times and she knows it. I don’t know how to explain it gently to her so that she doesn’t think that I am trying to separate them, and not argue with her. What should I do in this situation?

Dear Reader,

I think you should just not think about it and let her solve problems in her private life. It’s her life, her choice. If she was truly your best friend she would have trust and loyalty in you, she would believe you when you said that her boyfriend almost kissed you. I can suggest that you should find some evidence; if something like that happens again, then show her the video or picture.