DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and just finished my third semester of college. My GPA is 3.9, and I also work about 10-15 hours a week at my family's business. I am in the honors program, and I think I am a responsible person. However, my parents still treat me like a kid. My curfew is 11:30 p.m. (I still live at home) and they discourage me from attending all parties. I'd like to take a weekend and visit my boyfriend of three years who is in college about 3 hours away from me. However, my parents refuse. It's not that they don't approve of our relationship (they think that my boyfriend is great), it's that they don't want me to see him without adult supervision. I suggested staying overnight at a hotel or a friend's place instead of at his apartment with him and his roommates, but they still won't budge.

What really makes me mad is that my brother was given permission to visit his girlfriend for a week a few summers ago when he was 19. I'll be 20 in a month, and this problem isn't going away because my boyfriend (he is 20 years old) returns to our hometown on occasion, but doesn't have a car and is not always able to spend money on bus fare. I own a car that I have paid for myself. What do you feel is an appropriate curfew, and what is your opinion on the subject of visiting my boyfriend? Maybe they will read your response and take your advice. Thank you for your help. — Nameless, Chicago, Ill.

NAMELESS: The time has come for your parents put trust over strict discipline. They should be thrilled that you are living at home and treat you like the highly intelligent young lady that you are. Your trip to visit your boyfriend is warranted.

YOU CAN'T BE INFECTED FROM A KISS

DR. WALLACE: My girlfriend is dating a guy who has been tested HIV positive. She says he contracted the disease by sharing a needle with another drug addict. Of course, I'm concerned that my friend could also be infected with HIV, but she says they never have sex and she's very cautious when she's with him.

But yesterday I saw him kissing her when he dropped her off at my house and I almost freaked out. When I asked her about being "cautious," she told me not to worry because, "You can't get infected with HIV by kissing." I didn't say anything to her, but I find it hard to believe that you can't become infected by kissing an infected person. If she can become infected, I'm not so sure I want to hang around with her. Please tell me if it's possible to become infected with HIV by kissing. — Concerned, Somewhere in Louisiana.

CONCERNED: To become infected with HIV, infected blood or sexual secretions must enter your body. You can't become infected through ordinary contact such as hugging, kissing, dancing or shaking hands with someone who has HIV or AIDS. HIV cannot be transmitted through the air, water or via insect bites.

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.