But as a father, you can't protect your daughters from themselves. Some things they have to learn on their own. And if sleeping with a pants-saggin, "purple stuff dranking," gold grill wearing, 10,000 tattoo having buffoon is the way they need to learn their lessons, you just kinda have to deal with it.I empathize with Wade Edwards, the man accused of shooting a boy for sleeping with his step daughter. Wade shot the boy four times, aiming for the "relevant zone" with each bullet. But while I can understand Wade's anger, I do not, for one second, condone his actions.
You see Wade, it takes two people to "get busy." If your daughter was choosing to sleep with this boy, that was her bad decision, not yours. Sure, it was disrespectful for them to get naked under your roof, but fathers have been getting furious about this kind of thing since the beginning of time. Sex is a powerful drug, the essence of the existence of all mankind, so the urge of human attraction can be strong enough to lead to seemingly deviant behavior.
The problem for Wade, however, is one that merges with the lessons we teach in Financial Lovemaking: Allowing your love for another person to cause you to do things that are going to be financially and emotionally devastating for your family. Wade might feel that he was somehow protecting his daughter (he claims that it was self defense, but I don't buy that logic), but the truth is that he has now dragged his family into a draining legal drama that is going to cost them thousands in attorney's fees and even more financial loses when one of the primary providers for the household has to spend his time in prison.
Any father can relate to how Edwards might have been feeling. Also, every father has to wonder how far he would go to protect his children. I personally would give my life to save my daughters and not think twice about it. At the same time, I would not allow myself to go to prison to keep my daughters from having sex. Sexuality is a natural part of life, even when we feel that the person is too young to be doing it. Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about; you probably did it too.
The episode of Financial lovemaking is below. Enjoy!
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of "Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 




Comments: (7)
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By: Ernestine on 10/22/2009 10:05AM
I would have to agree with you. It's not something new that, these teens are having sex and I'm pretty sure any father would do anything to protect their child(ren) especially from having sex. Once he's in jail and his wife is left to take care of the family. He can use the time to think about how he should of handle the situation better.
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By: Karen on 10/22/2009 10:30AM
Dr. Boyce, sex is not a drug.......It is a natural act. Get it together...duh!
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By: vg3rb on 10/22/2009 6:29PM
Karen, evidently you don't understand hyperbole. "Sex is a drug", was meant not litterally, but only to illustrate that it can be habit forming and addictive. It is like a drug in that respect. Just as there are drug addicts; there are sex addicts. So, um, get it together. Now as for a boy sleeping with his daughter, he should have cut that boys penis off and gave it to the pit bull to chomp on. Little freaky generation 'Z' is out of control. They have no morals, no ethics, no understanding of why rules exist. As for me, I hope the little pervert has to use a cath to pee. As for the little ho, she probably need a chastity belt. Mothers and Fathers, don't know what tough love is anymore...tell your sons and duaghters that the day they decide to act like adults is the day they need to move out, pay rent, buy their own groceries, pay for auto ins., pay for college, etc..etc., etc. Then, they can see what life is really like. Long as you keep letting them have a lot of free time...they will run over you.
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By: FeliciaB on 10/22/2009 11:32PM
A NATURAL ACT (sex) that IS MOOD and MIND ALTERING ( DRUG)...now go define (ADDICTION)
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By: David on 10/24/2009 11:32AM
You are right, sex is not a drug, but, with sex comes RESPONSIBILITIES.
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By: BlancaFlor on 10/22/2009 10:07PM
Dear Dr. Boyce,
As a former young woman, Thank you for according us some common sense. Usually, these are relationships we can handle. Sometimes not, but it IS the exception. I mean, you raised your sons right, NO?
My 24-yr-old son came back from 2 tours of combat & recently impregnated his girlfriend. He stands ready to marry the young woman (if she desires) & by all means to raises this child. He's taken enough life-- he wants to give some.
YES, women desire sexual relations with the man we choose (for deeply biological reasons). Which are probably ultimately better than your reasons. SO, trust God, evolution, your 16 yrs. of influence, or just your daughters' sweetness. Sex is life's longing for itself.
Life is a gift.
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By: Clarence Fort on 10/23/2009 4:35PM
This is a very sad situation, however, the girl was his step daughter, you don't think that he might have been over protected of her for other selfish reasons. Just asking? You very rarely get the death penality for rape, so why for concenous sex, just a thought.
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