DR. WALLACE: I'm writing in response to the letter from Sally, in San Diego who asked you if she should continue dating a guy even though she couldn't see herself marrying him. Her friend told her not to date him if she couldn't see a future with him, but you advised her to continue the relationship.

I disagree with your advice. I believe that nobody should waste their time or emotions with a person they're dating if they have no intention of marrying that person. The whole reason for dating others is to find the person you will one day marry. Isn't marriage the next step after dating? If you're not looking for a spouse, then why waste your time dating? It will just lead to heartache after heartache for everybody because there is no conclusion which is usually when you fall in love and plan a wedding. That is what makes your life happy and fulfilled.

Teen pregnancies, broken hearts, abuse, feelings of abandonment, confusion, suicide and many other problems come from dating just to date without having a purpose. I hope you will reconsider your answer, and even if you don't, I hope Sally rethinks her position after reading my letter. — Nameless, Laredo, Tex.

NAMELESS: Sally has my opinion. And now she has the chance to read yours. I gave your response some consideration, but I'll continue to stick with my original answer.

Of course, many dating couples do marry and live happily ever after. But the majority of dating teen couples do not have marriage and family as their prime reasons for enjoying time together. Sally in San Diego enjoyed spending time with a guy even though she couldn't see the relationship leading to the altar. I advised her to continue enjoying the relationship until she no longer enjoyed his company or she wanted to start looking for a husband!

WALK AWAY OR HANG UP THE PHONE

DR. WALLACE: What is the best way to get rid of a bad reputation that has no merit whatsoever? It all started because a big-mouth football player told a bunch of lies in the locker room. I dated this guy and didn't even let him kiss me, but he told his teammates that we had sex. Already I've had six players call me for dates.

All this has really caused me to be depressed. All my close friends know these vicious rumors are false. Please tell me what to do. I don't have anyone else to turn to. I'm really a sweet and very conservative girl. — Depressed, Pittsburgh, Penn.

DEPRESSED: There are some amazing jerks out there, and the big mouth you dated is close to the top of the list. Some guys are so insecure they have to lie and trash another person's reputation just to boost their standing with their buddies.

Fortunately, most teens are very good judges of character. The rumor he started will die a natural death soon enough. Do the best you can to ignore the rumors and continue being yourself.

When you can't ignore them - when one of his teammates pesters you for a date — calmly say, "No, thank you," and then walk away, or hang up the phone.

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.