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Love Is the Key to Successful Parenting
DR. WALLACE: I am a single parent of an 11-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. I had a lot of problems as a teen because my parents were super lenient in controlling me. Let's say I could do almost anything that I wanted with no questions asked.…Read more.
Give Intelligent Young Women a Break
DR. WALLACE: I'm angry that you encourage all girls, even the mentally, emotionally and physically mature young women who happen to be teenagers, not to get involved with older guys. You are dead wrong in your assumption that older guys and teenage …Read more.
Open and Honest Conversation Is Paramount
DR. WALLACE: Please tell me what to do. I'm 20, married three years and the mother of a 2-year-old son. I love my husband very much, but I'm lonely and depressed. My husband works 12 to 16 hours, 6 days a week. I have no friends, no job and no time …Read more.
My Friend's Mother Helps Her Cheat
DR. WALLACE: We have homework four days a week in world history. I do all my homework by myself, but my best friend's mother helps her with hers. I average a B on my homework, but my friend averages an A. I don't believe this is fair. Both of us are …Read more.
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Gay Teen Pleads for AcceptanceDR. WALLACE: I'm a 17-year-old guy and I'm gay. Being gay, I am aware that gay guys have the highest suicide percentage of all teens. The reason why is that we are ostracized by mainstream heterosexual America. We are ridiculed, hated, despised and persecuted. No wonder we can't find comfort and peace in this godless world. Suicide has crossed my mind several times, but my faith in God made me realize that God gives life and only God can take away a life. Teens, if you know someone who is gay, reach out and be kind to this person. Show compassion, understanding and acceptance as an equal. We didn't choose to be gay. That's just the way we entered the world. My family was horrified when I told them I was gay. They had no idea I was because I didn't want them to know. It's been six months since I gave them the startling news. They have accepted my gayness, but I can tell they are very disappointed. I'm not a gay rights activist and I don't flaunt my sexuality by dressing like a transvestite and dancing in parades. I consider myself a normal teen that enjoys sports, music, animals and watching a good television program. I have two arms and two legs, a neck and a head, hands and feet, and I look like the boy who lives next door. By looking at me, you would not dream that I'm gay, and that's the way I like it. All I'm asking is that you treat me the same way you did before you heard me say, "By the way, it's time to tell you that I'm gay." — Nameless, San Raphael, Calif. NAMELESS: Thanks for your heartfelt plea for acceptance.
I applaud your courage and strength. Even though your family was "horrified" to learn you were gay, telling them was the right thing to do. Gay teens who hide their sexual identity from their parents suffer confusion, guilt and, worst of all, deep, impenetrable isolation. Some — far too many — wind up being unable to cope with the conflict between inner identity and external expectations and resort to suicide. As a former teacher, coach and administrator, I very much enjoyed the opportunity to work with teens of different races, religions and ethnic backgrounds. It didn't matter. To me, they were all in one category — teens. It doesn't matter to me that you are gay. What does matter is that you took time to express your views. I respect that and hope others will as well. Contact me at any time. I'll always be here to do my very best to offer a helping hand. 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. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. 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. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM
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