DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and still not allowed to date or even to go out with my girlfriends in the evenings. In fact, even if I'm just going out with my girlfriends, I have to give my dad a complete itinerary of my plans. I'm a trustworthy and dependable teen, and I understand my dad's concern for his only daughter, but I think this is ridiculous. He acts like he's afraid I'm going to have sex every time I walk out the front door, but he and I both know that this is not going to happen!

I really do love my father, but lately, when it comes to my social life, I'm beginning to hate him. I have no social life at all because I'm always stuck at home every weekend watching stupid programs on television. It makes me mad because my 14-year-old brother can come and go as he pleases and he is allowed to stay out until midnight on the weekends. And if I do get to go anywhere I'm grounded if I get home one minute after 9 p.m.

Please don't say I should have a long talk with my dad because I did this and his only reason was that "Your brother is a boy and you're a girl." I feel like I'm in prison and living under a dictator. My mom is no help because she says whatever he says goes. Can you offer any advice for me? I'd appreciate it. — Nameless, Schererville, Ind.

NAMELESS: Sometimes being an overly strict parent can cause just as much damage as being too lenient. Teens need guidance from wise parents — not excessive smothering.

Talk with a favorite teacher, counselor or the school nurse. Ask this person to speak with your father face to face and encourage him to "lighten up" a bit on his overbearing restrictions and suggest that you be allowed to at least attend a few school functions for fun

Many times parents will heed the advice of an intelligent person who is not a family member.

I ENJOY GOING TO REUNIONS TO "RUB IT IN"

DR. WALLACE: I understand why some people do not enjoy going to class reunions because they weren't popular when in school and they feel they wouldn't be popular at a reunion.

I happen to enjoy attending my reunions to "rub it in" to the popular students that I turned out much better than they did. I "float" among them bragging about my many successes. I smile when the "best of the best" became alcoholics, drug abusers, had abortions and lost their houses when the bank foreclosed because of missed mortgage payments. And, of course, many had kids who were in trouble with the law.

After my miserable days as a student, I deserve this. — Nameless, Peoria, Ill.

NAMELESS: I'm glad that you enjoy attending class reunions, but I thought the main purpose was to meet and greet old classmates and discuss good times at the high school.

But, you paid your share of necessary reunion expenses and that entitles you to "float and brag."

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 [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.