DEAR ABBY: Recently, my father has begun to watch films with graphic sexual scenes when he gets home from work. When I ask him to please watch them on his own time, when my three younger siblings aren’t in the house, he tells me that because he pays the bills he has the right to do what he wants.

Abby, not only do these graphic movies make me uncomfortable, I’m worried my siblings will begin asking questions.

— UNCOMFORTABLE

IN OREGON

DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: If there are adult relatives who can convince your dad that what he’s doing is unwise — an aunt, uncle, grandparent — talk to them about what’s going on right away. If there aren’t, then a trusted teacher or counselor at school should be informed because what your father is doing is extremely inappropriate. Exposing children to graphic images can give them unrealistic expectations about what sex is really all about.

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend and I have talked about becoming engaged. The subject of the wedding dress came up. She broke off a past engagement last year, and she has asked me whether it would be OK for her to use the dress she chose for the wedding that didn’t happen. She says only her mother and the seamstress have seen it. She doesn’t want to be out $1,000 and says she does not associate the gown with her exfiance.

I feel we should try to sell the dress, although it was tailored for her, and pick a new one. What do you think is appropriate? I don’t like the idea of looking back at the wedding photos and thinking the dress was meant for another man.

— FUTURE HUSBAND

IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR HUSBAND: Actually, the dress was meant for your fiancee and not another man. There are specialists who can redesign an existing wedding dress. However, because you have negative associations with this gown, offer to sweeten the pot by chipping in if she can’t get $1,000 for the one she has. I think the most “appropriate” thing on your wedding day should be that you are both comfortable, happy and, above all, in sync. DEAR ABBY: I don’t sympathize or empathize with others. When people are sad or upset over deaths, failed relationships, etc., my reaction is annoyance at the person because I feel I’m being forced to offer an emotion I don’t genuinely feel. I have experienced all of these things in my own life, but I have never shed tears about them or let them cripple me. I view these things as part of life and move on.

As I get older, it is getting harder and harder for me to fake these emotions. My wife was in tears for a couple of days because someone she knew died. I tried to pretend to empathize with her, but I found myself getting annoyed by what I thought was her overreaction. Someone she knew died; it happens to all of us. Let’s move on. Is something wrong with me?

— MOVING ON

IN TENNESSEE

DEAR MOVING ON: Some people live the veneer of life; others live the hardwood. It appears you are among the former and insulated against painful emotions. However, I’m cautioning you to be patient and show respect for the feelings of others who have more emotional depth, or you may be spending a lot of time alone in the future.

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