DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I are in the 12th grade and will graduate soon. Two weeks ago, I got the most surprising shock of my life — I discovered that I'm three months along with child. We told both sets of parents. My boyfriend's parents told us to think things over, and then do what we felt was best for us. When we told my parents, they didn't see it that way. They want me to get an abortion. They feel that I'm too young to be a mother and that financially I will have a difficult time supporting the child and myself.

My boyfriend and I are very much in love and will welcome this baby. We talked everything over and this is our decision: We will get married a week after we graduate. His family owns an apartment building, and they said we could live there rent-free until we become financially independent. My boyfriend has a part-time job working as a salesperson for his grandfather's new car business, and he will be employed there full-time after graduation.

I told our plan to my parents, and they didn't like it one bit. A lot of this is because they don't like my boyfriend because he never planned to go to college. Both of my parents are college graduates. I plan to attend a community college when time allows. Eventually, I do plan to get my degree.

I have given this decision much thought, and my heart tells me I'm doing the right thing. I will appreciate any comments you can make to either support or disagree with our decision. —Nameless, Miami, Fla.

NAMELESS: You and your boyfriend appear to have given this matter serious thought and are making levelheaded plans to meet the responsibilities of raising a child. I wish you all the best and believe that, over time, your parents will also come to realize that you made the best choice. When you make good on your plans to attend college as soon as circumstances allow, you will make your parents and husband very proud.

THE SOONER YOU MOVE, THE BETTER

DR. WALLACE: I live with my mother and stepfather. He and I don't agree on anything, and I'm not happy being anywhere near him. I love my mom, but why she married this guy is a mystery to me. He is a despicable human being! I want to move out of our house and live with my best friend's family. They have invited me to stay with them. My friend and I both work at the same restaurant as food servers, and we both make excellent tips.

I graduated from high school at mid-semester, but I won't be 18 until September. My stepfather said that if I leave the house without my mother's permission I will be arrested for being a runaway, and my friend's parents would be arrested for harboring a runaway. Is this true? —Nameless, New York, N.Y.

NAMELESS: Since you are over 171/2 years old and a high school graduate, you are considered by law to be an emancipated minor and can leave home without permission. In your case, the sooner you move out the better.

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.