DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have overly strict parents. They refuse to allow me to go out on a date until I'm 17, but they allow me to have a boyfriend (also 16) and I appreciate that. But since we can't go out, the only time we can spend together is at my house when one of my parents is home. This means we can never share a few moments together without a parent watching us. We've been together at my house five times in the past month and have only been able to kiss once, and that was a very short peck.

Both of us are good students and good citizens. We attend church regularly and have high moral standards. I'm not asking for a date night with a midnight curfew. All I want is to be able to go out for an early evening snack and a movie (G-rated, of course). I'd even be willing to have mom or dad drive us to and from the restaurant and theater.

I'm totally trustworthy and feel my parents should trust me to do what's right when they are not watching me. After all, I doubt if there would be any hanky-panky taking place in a crowded restaurant or theater. My parents both read your column "just to keep up with the teen scene", and they agree with your advice about 80 percent of the time — and trust me, that's a very high percentage for them.

Please give me your opinion. Should we be trusted to go on a date by ourselves, even if one of my parents has to chauffeur us? —Kim, Phoenix, Ariz.

KIM: Most teens start dating at age 15 or 16, depending on their social maturity. Before starting to date, a teen must demonstrate that he or she is trustworthy and possesses the ability to make good decisions.

It appears to me that you and your boyfriend qualify for an evening out on your own now and then. Parents must learn to trust their children. And they should continue trusting them, expanding that trust, so long as it isn't violated. Let's hope your parents agree. Being your chauffeur should offer them peace of mind.

I EAT A LOT OF FRIES

DR. WALLACE: Please tell my dear grandmother, whom I love very much, that French fries will not cause me to have a bad complexion. I eat a lot of fries (yes, I know they're considered junk food) and every time my grandmother sees me eat them, she gives me a lecture on fries and acne. Please set her straight. —Nameless, Galesburg, Ill.

DEAR GRANDMOTHER: French fries encourage weight gain, but they won't cause complexion problems. Pimples and acne are caused by active oil glands in the skin which block the pores. This backup of oil causes the problem. The excess oil is produced during adolescence and has nothing whatsoever to do with food consumption.

I CAPTIVATED HIM

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and I'm not dating anyone. Last week at a friend's birthday party, I met a really sweet guy. We talked for at least 20 minutes and then he asked me for my telephone number. He also told me that he was dating a girl, but that I had "captivated" him. Since I haven't "captivated" a guy in quite some time, I gave him my number.

Now my older sister is all over my case. She thinks that since the guy is dating someone I had no right to give him my phone number. I subscribe to the "all's fair in love and war" theory. I'd like your thoughts and please hurry with your response because I want to have my mind made up before he calls me. —Nameless, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

NAMELESS: I see nothing wrong with giving your telephone number to a guy who is dating someone else, but you shouldn't go out with him until that relationship ends, if it ever does!

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.