TEENS: My entire adult life has been spent working with teenagers. My first experience was teaching English and coaching varsity basketball in the small Illinois town of Kirkland. After a stay in Phoenix, my final role in education was being the principal of a large high school in southern California.

My time as an educator was wonderful. I enjoyed my relationships with students in the classroom and on the basketball court — and even with those students who were sent to me for "campus disruptions." I came to trust teenagers more than I trusted many adults. I'm still thrilled when I hear about teens who do wonderful things.

Therefore, I couldn't have been happier when I read the story about the 14-year-old Boy Scout who saved the life of his 18-month-old baby sister when their house caught fire in Texas. He ran through smoke and flames to reach his sister and carry her to safety, suffering smoke inhalation and minor burns in the process.

"She's my sister and I'm supposed to take care of her," he said when asked what he was thinking during the rescue. It was a great story with a wonderful ending!

ABORTION IS MOST EXPENSIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURE

DR. WALLACE: I'm 18, and my boyfriend is 20. We are sexually active, but we don't use any method of birth control because it's against his religion. If I do happen to get pregnant, my boyfriend said that he would pay for an abortion. My boyfriend asked me to write and ask you if an abortion is expensive. — Nameless, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

NAMELESS: An abortion is one of the most expensive medical procedures on Earth. Not monetarily, but psychologically. Abortion is not intended to be used as a form of birth control, and for a pregnant girl, the emotional strain will leave permanent psychological scars.

Wise up! If you are going to be sexually active, you need to use an acceptable form of birth control. You are responsible for your own body — so don't be afraid to take responsibility. Ask your boyfriend to use a condom. If your boyfriend truly cares about you, he will respect your request to protect your health and well-being. If your boyfriend refuses, you should reconsider your commitment to him.

And remember, the best birth control is to stop being sexually active altogether. That way you will never have to worry about the price of an abortion.

YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY

DR. WALLACE: I'm an avid reader of your column in my hometown newspaper. I know your column is written for teens, but I hope you won't mind getting a note from an 89-year-old woman. I still take walks, drive my car, have good health and don't have to take any medicine, Thank God!

I'm just writing to let you know that your column gives me great pleasure even though I don't always agree with you. — Nameless, Tulsa, Okla.

NAMELESS: Thanks for the great vote of confidence. I always enjoy hearing from readers who possess the hard-earned wisdom that only a long life can bring.

You're in good company, by the way, because my wife doesn't always agree with me either.

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: Henrik Sandklef