Matt's advice column

I am 17, female, moving into college next month. My mom made me sign a paper to disclose information at school. Grades and medical records and if I get in trouble at parties or something of the sort. I don't really want her to know everything like that but I couldn't say no because she'd be pissed. My question is, if I were to start birth control or anything, will my mother know about that? Because when I went to orientation, we broke up into groups and my facilitator said that those things are confidential but I don't know if that holds true once I signed that paper. Please no judging and thanks for your time.

I think that would depend more on billing than disclosure. I highly doubt your college is going to go through the paper trail and hassle of disclosing every little thing to your mom -- this isn't high school. However, who would be paying for your birth control? If she's the one that's going to cover it, you can bet there's going to be some sort of indicator for what she's paying for when she gets the bill.

As far as other health related things though, it probably depends on the school and what service you're receiving. When I went to my school's counseling center, I know that was never disclosed to my parents.

Honestly, you just need to be up front with your school's health office to learn exactly what they will and will not reveal to your family. And I don't know what your family life is like, but maybe a young woman being on birth control isn't the radical thing of the Devil you probably fear your mom will make it out to be.

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(Rating: 5) Thank you so much.

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