DR. WALLACE: I've got a huge problem. Joshua and I have been dating for over four months and everything was going just great. He's 16 and I'm 15. When his family decided to buy the house directly across the street from ours I was very surprised. They moved in three weeks ago and already my dad and his dad got into a huge argument because his dad parked his camper on our side of the street directly in front of our house. It boiled over and then my mom and his mom got into an argument and it ended up with the two women swearing at each other.

To make matters worse, Joshua and I got into a huge argument last night because he was defending his parents and I was sticking up for mine. The argument ended when Joshua told me he never wanted to see me again. I assume that means our relationship has ended, all because he moved close to me and our parents couldn't get along.

I don't need advice because I'm just going to wait awhile to see if our families realize how silly they are to become enemies over something as stupid as parking a motor home. Please print my letter so everyone can, hopefully, "kiss and make up," especially Joshua and me. — Madison, Tulsa, Okla.

P.S.: I've changed all the names.

MADISON: I've done my part. Let's hope all the family members will do theirs. Seeing in print how immaturely they've been behaving should be the start of a few, "I'm sorry," admissions.

SEX DOES NOT MEAN LOVE

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 16-year-old girl who has earned a bad reputation. I did a lot of things in the past that I'm not proud of and I'm sorry for my "sins." The problem is that all the kids at my school know about my past. Girls avoid me like the plague and guys call me names or call me on the phone to ask me out for only one thing — sex.

I live with my mother who has been divorced twice and recently married her third husband. He seems alright, but he does have a drinking problem. I would like to move out of this town and get a fresh start. My grandmother is aware of my troubled past and has encouraged me to move in with her. My mom also knows of my past and wants me to stay with her and overcome my bad reputation by standing up to those who speak out against me. I have completely changed my behavior, but my reputation still follows me and all this really makes me feel terrible.

Yes, I did lots of stupid stuff, but I learned my very painful lesson. Sex does not mean love. My only saving grace is that I did not become pregnant or pick up a sexually transmitted disease. I really want to leave this town and start fresh in another town. Trust me, I have learned my lesson. If you advise me to go to my grandmother's, I will. But if you tell me to stand up against my name callers, I'll give all this a little more thought. Be kind and answer my email. If you encourage me to move, I'll wait until semester break so I won't lose credits. I want to earn my high school diploma. — Nameless, Dothan, Ala.

NAMELESS: Reputations can be ruined in a very short time. They can be mended, but it takes much longer. I'm happy for you that you have begun this process. Doing so requires a great deal of courage even when most people are pulling for you. But when your whole school seems to be against you, the task can be formidable.

I don't often recommend that a young person leave a parent and move away from home, but in your case I think this is best. With Mom's third husband having a drinking problem, I don't think you'll get the support you need at home. When you do leave, just make sure you keep in close contact with your mother. She needs you!

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.

Photo credit: Ivan