As an independent publication, we rely on contributions from readers like you to fund our journalism. Illustration by Joe Newton. I am a liberal parent. I raised a daughter who is bi and poly. I always thought that I could accept anything that parenthood might throw at me. I knew that I could embrace my son if he were straight, gay, bi, trans, etc. If there is a controlling consciousness of the universe, it has a nasty sense of humor.
But over the last few years, I have stumbled across evidence of his browsing habits that left me pretty clear about his proclivities. I love my children and want them to be happy. Should I address this with him? Try to discourage an orientation that, to me, seems kind of pathetic? Bering is a research psychologist and science writer who regularly contributes to Slate, Scientific American, and other publications.
I am a het husband. Before we married, I let my wife know that I loved spanking women and I was not a faithful man. Fast-forward 20 years: She does not like to be spanked and does not want me cheating, despite my earlier proclamation. So I watch spanking porn and remain faithful. Am I cheating on my wife with porn? Was I not specific enough when we got married? When I was a teenager, my mother found some dirty stories I wrote on my computer.
They were hardcore bondage, slavery, whippings , and some featured neighborhood MILFs that I had crushes on. I was 14 at the time. My mom went ballistic and terrorized me about my kinks until I left for college. I hated my mother so much during this time. It took me a decade to get over it. Cutting to the chase: My wife is pregnant.
We announced the news to my mom and dad, and they were delighted. I was honestly delighted to make my parents so happy. Then my mother sent me an e-mail saying that I had her to thank for my relationship and my child-to-be. Mom thinks her five-year-long campaign of shaming meβand constantly spying on me and haranguing meβcured me of my kinks! I met my kinky wife on Fetlife! No kinks, no wife!
