I [33m] am struggling with the idea of my son [17m] having sex as he gets closer to going to college.

I have a senior in high school. He's a good kid and is getting ready to go to college in the fall. I understand that at his age he's going to have normal sexual urges. Over the last year I've noticed him being more open about him wanting to at least have sex once before leaving the house. He's never had a girlfriend but has been with a few friends with benefits in the past.<br><br>What's bothering me is him mentioning how he wants to at least "get something out of the way" when it comes to sex before he leaves for college. He brings up how he's never had sex and that he wants to feel like he can be in a relationship in college without being worried about if he's going to be embarrassed or not. Or if the other person is going to be disappointed in having sex with a virgin. <br><br>I'm not sure what to do or say to him. He's my only child. I know we live in different times but I wanted him to wait. I realize this isn't personal towards me or a rejection towards me but I still can't help but feel hurt. I keep getting this feeling in my head that I've failed as a parent if he feels like he needs to do this before leaving the house. I feel so horrible even thinking this because I know he's not doing it to be vindictive. I've always been open and honest with him. I just don't understand why or why now of all times. Does he think that I would be upset if he did this in college? Does it really matter that much to him? I know I shouldn't care but I still have this feeling in my head that if he does this it'll make me look like I messed up as a parent. <br><br>Thanks for your time.