Teen sister’s boyfriend is three times her age

Dear Pastor,

I am having a little problem. I have a sister who is living with me. I live with my husband.

My mother begged me to take her because she was not listening to her and she was uncontrollable. My sister was 14 years old at the time. My husband and I weren't married yet. We told her that she would have to behave and go to school. We got her into a school.

This girl lies so much. She is now 17 years old and she is having a relationship with a man who is three times her age. I have proof that they are having sex; she admitted it. I told her that this man should not come to our house. The girl looked me squarely in my face and said he doesn't have to come to our house. I packed everything she has and told her to go. My husband told me to give her another chance. She is still seeing the man. We have decided not to spend any more money on her. If she stays here, she will beat me and I can't allow that to happen.

My husband spoke to the man who told him that she is a big girl who knows what she wants and he is not going to take advantage of her. I told her that she should provide her own food, and if the man gets her pregnant, she should leave immediately. The girl has no manners or respect for us.

What do you suggest that we should do?

E.R.

Dear E.R.,

Your sister wants to have her own way. Her man is telling her exactly what she ought to do.

She will soon be 18 years old and she believes that she can go on her own. She sees your husband and yourself as a hindrance to her progress. So, if she wants to leave, you should allow her to do so. The man you call her boyfriend is a wicked man. I have seen so many older men take advantage of young girls. They get them pregnant not just once or twice, and then they leave these young girls to struggle on their own. If your sister is not careful, she will get pregnant and the man will likely dump her, so to speak.

You have done your best to help her. Allow her to have her own way; she is no longer a child.

Pastor