DR. WALLACE: My dad is a lawyer in a large firm and his best friend is another lawyer in the same firm. My parents and this other lawyer and his wife do a lot of things together socially. I'm 18, but I'm not dating anyone at this time.

Now my parents want me to go out with this other lawyer's son. He's 19 and goes to Notre Dame University. I've seen him several times and he seems nice and is not bad looking, but I could never see him as a guy I'd like to date. Now here's my problem. My parents think he is very handsome and highly intelligent and would be a good "catch." And now they are pressuring me to go out with him — at least once. I don't see it that way and I don't know what to do. Please give me your thoughts on this. — Nameless, South Bend, Ind.

NAMELESS: It's your decision whether or not to go out with this guy. You are old enough to make that decision, and your parents should back off.

WHY ARE SCHOOLS IN THE FOOD BUSINESS?

DR. WALLACE: As a parent, I'm concerned that my high school son and daughter are not getting a well-balanced lunch when they eat in the school cafeteria. I try to get them to take a lunch prepared by me, but they want to eat in the cafeteria with their friends. When I was a student 20 years ago, school cafeterias served food high in fat, cholesterol and salt content. We now know that these are unhealthy and should be avoided. I can still visualize school lunches of macaroni and gobs of cheese, canned green beans and chocolate chip cookies washed down by a pint of regular milk.

It's a wonder that I'm still alive and don't weigh 250 pounds. When will schools come to realize that they are teaching our young people to eat the wrong kinds of food? Why are schools in the food business anyhow? - Concerned Mom, Somewhere in Texas.

TEXAS MOM: Immediately after World War II, the National School Lunch Program was started as a public health campaign to improve the nutritional state of students. It later evolved into a way to use surplus food produced by productive farmers. Most school districts would be thrilled to eliminate the "headache" of providing hot meals for students, but in some instances this is the only hot meal the students get during the day.

It would be safe to say that all school cafeteria managers are aware of the need to provide nutritious, delicious lunches that are low in salt and fat content. Not only are they aware that the future health of students is important, but they are also teaching students to eat properly.

A great many school cafeterias now offer salad bars loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, pizza smothered in low-fat cheese, and substitute ground turkey for ground beef in meat dishes.

Why not ask the school principal if you can stop by the cafeteria and have lunch after the students are back in class? Then, if you have any questions or suggestions, you can voice your concerns to the people who can do something about them.

Most all principals will honor such a request, but if for some reason your request is denied, give a call to the superintendent's office. They will be glad to answer your questions.

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.