Thanks for the insight. I really do understand the parents always wanting to protect their children thing. Perhaps I did not emphasize that enough. A couple things that I did not explain well in the initial post.

While I am old enough to drive, I cannot without a parent. Moreover I live way out in the boonies so public transportation is out of the question. What makes me mad is that I have stressed multiple times my want to go and experience work. I current work on illustration so it's not like I haven't been actively searching for opportunities. The issue is, once I leave for college and whatnot, I doubt I will have time for something like illustration. I don't have any experience is advertising myself much less getting a job. This worries me to no end. I'm extremely fearful of dependency, especially on my parents. It frustrates me when they will say it's my fault I have no experience when I don't have access to transportation for experience. And transportation is out of my hand as well as it is up to them on whether they want to take me. Previously they will always have an excuse not to. Perhaps genuine work, but more often something like, pure not used to this street, or its dark (even though I have to drive at night too??). And this is all probably because of the reason you stated, being protective, but that doesn't me an they can ignore the issue then blame me. I'm so hurt often by this and my self-esteem and life has gone in a downward spiral. I always apologize for things that I've realized now really aren't my fault.

On the subject of traveling to my bf's: he's not exactly across the country but like an hour's flight away. Right next door. His parents are both respectable people and he himself I even more cautious than I am. I know she's just worried for my safety, but I'm growing up and literally everything poses a threat. For instance, I asked to visit my friend, who actually lives across country and lives in a much more dangerous area, yet she was absolutely fine with it. I don't understand that logic. If she's worried about sex or something related, she already knows I'm sexually active. I told her. Moreover, in all honesty, my bf was even more serious and adamant about protection than I was.

I get that a parent will worry forever. But isn't it time I get a chance to grow up? I'm going to college in a couple months, what is she going to do then? College campus can be much more dangerous then just spending a week in a respectable household.