DR. WALLACE: I'm a 17-year-old girl and I live with a good-for-nothing older brother, my mentally weak mother and my loudmouth, verbally abusive father. The only good thing about him is that he is a good provider. He has a good job and brings his entire earnings home to my mother.

My father constantly uses poor language and swears at me for no reason. Already he has told me that I'm no good, useless and stupid, and that he wished I were never born. He said my mother should have had an abortion when she was pregnant with me.

All I can do is wait it out until I graduate from school. I'm an above-average student, but I could get better grades (I'm a B to C+ student) if I had a better atmosphere. I plan to leave the area the day that I graduate in June of 2018 and never see my parents or brother again. My boyfriend (he is really a super guy) and I plan to move to California and to find some employment, even if it means cooking hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant. We can both live with his married brother and his wife until we get married.

Do you think that it's wrong for me to abandon my family? I honestly believe they already have abandoned me. — Nameless, Montgomery, Ala.

NAMELESS: Get the best grades possible, be a model citizen, and after graduation, head for California to start a new and better life for yourself. California has a marvelous community college system, so prepare yourself to take advantage of this opportunity.

I don't think you should burn your bridges with your family. Keep in touch with them and give them your California address and phone number. Once you're gone, they may come to their senses. I hope so! Families remain intact only when its members are able to practice forgiveness. Giving up on your family will leave a void in your heart that might never be filled.

THE BOYS WILL WAIT FOR YOU

DR. WALLACE: I'm 14 years old and I'm told by all the boys at my school that I'm cute. Many older boys have asked me out, but my mother says I'm too young to date. My cousin is 14 and she's going steady, and my aunt thinks it's wonderful.

I'm embarrassed when I'm asked out and I can't say yes, so I lie and say that I'm grounded for a few months. I'm a very mature young lady, both mentally and physically. Don't you think I should be allowed to date occasionally? — Melanie, St. Louis, Mo.

MELANIE: I realize that the time has arrived when boys are a prime interest, but there is no reason to rush things. Dating is an important part of teen life and I'm sure you will have your share of dates, but not now. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy having good friends who are boys. Be patient. Most teens begin dating between the ages of 15 and 16. I know it will be difficult for the boys, but rest assured, they'll wait for you!

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 rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. 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.