DR. WALLACE: I'm 20 and dating a girl who is 13. We are considering starting a sexual relationship. I know that I could be charged with statutory rape if I force her to have sex, but if she consents nothing can happen to me, right? —Nameless, Lima, Ohio

NAMELESS: Statutory rape is the result of an adult (you) having sex with a young teen (your girlfriend) with the teen's permission. Without permission, it is rape. Rape is the more serious crime, but statutory rape can get you prison time. Act your age and date someone closer to your age. The girl you are "dating" is a mere child. Shame on you!

YOU OWE YOUR AUNT AN APOLOGY

DR. WALLACE: I wear very dark sunglasses to protect my eyes from the sun. My know-it-all aunt said that dark sunglasses are very bad for my eyes. I told her she didn't know what she was talking about, and then she got mad and called me a brat. I started to cry and then my aunt and my dad got into a huge fight, and my aunt left our house and slammed the door so hard that she almost broke one of our windows. I'm writing to you so you can tell me that it's all right to wear dark sunglasses and that they won't hurt my eyes. I'm going to cut your answer out and mail it to my aunt. —Keri, Orlando, Fla.

KERI: Medical scientists constantly discover effective remedies for a host of things, and we, the public, are the fortunate benefactors. While darker sunglasses are best for reducing the brightness of the sun, dark glasses will also cause pupils to dilate, or enlarge, which allows more ultraviolet rays to enter the eye. According to Dr. Paul Sieving at the University of Michigan Medical Center, dark glasses should always be equipped with an ultraviolet-blocking filter coating that is applied directly to the lens. Untreated lenses let in more harmful rays, which can lead to cataracts and a form of blindness called macular degeneration. Your aunt was only trying to help you, and you owe her an apology — one that is very sincere!

PEER PRESSURE IS POWERFUL

DR. WALLACE: Last week, my mother found out that my friends were drinking regularly. When we discussed it, I told her that, yes, my friends did drink, but, no, I didn't drink and was not tempted by their behavior. Immediately my mom overreacted and told me to quit hanging around with these friends and to find new ones. Of course, I don't want to do this. I convinced my mom to let me write to you and get your opinion before she makes her final decision. I hope you will see my point of view. —Kim, Reno, Nev.

KIM: Peer pressure is powerful. The fact that you have not participated when they are drinking doesn't mean that your friends haven't offered you alcohol. Drinkers enjoy having those around them drink. Dr. Richard Schwartz at Georgetown University School of Medicine says that on the average, a drinker convinces three others to try alcohol. I agree with mom that you should find some new friends who share your non-drinking philosophy.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.