DR. WALLACE: I bowl in a teen league once a week and met a girl from a neighboring high school. We are both 14 years old and have become good friends. For her birthday, her parents let her get a rather radical haircut. It's very short on one side and shoulder-length on the other. I thought it looked funny the first time I saw it, but after a few weeks, I got used to it and didn't think anything more about it.

Last night Karla needed a ride home, so I called my father and he said that he would give her a ride home — and he did. But after he let Karla out of the car, he told me that she was a "hippie" and probably a non-conformist troublemaker. He also said that I couldn't have her for a friend any more, and if I did, then I could no longer be in the bowling league.

It so happens that Karla is really a "goody-good" and she gets good grades and has done fewer "questionable" things than some of my other friends. She also teaches Sunday School for the pre-school children. Her Mom and Dad are both medical professionals.

Do you think my dad is over-reacting? — Nameless, South Bend, Ind.

NAMELESS: Unfortunately, appearance is noticed first when we meet someone for the first time, and in many cases, it's a lasting impression.

Yes, I think your dad is overreacting. Is it possible to invite mom to the next bowling session? Maybe if she gets the chance to know Karla a little better, she will be able to convince dad that Karla is a fine young lady and a model citizen.

20 MILLION HAVE ALCOHOL PROBLEM

DR. WALLACE: Do all people who drink alcohol eventually wind up having drinking problems? I'm 17 and it would be important for me to be a social drinker when I'm of age, but I surely don't want to have a drinking problem! It already has caused my parents to divorce. — Nameless, Dyer, Ind.

NAMELESS: Be careful. According to a Harvard University study on addiction, 100 million Americans consume alcohol, and an estimated 20 million of them have what could be considered to be drinking problems, which, for your information, is an extremely high percentage.

Since alcohol abuse caused your parents to end their marriage, why would you want to become a social drinker? Wouldn't it be more prudent to avoid drinking alcohol at any time?

WHAT IS A BLUSH?

DR. WALLACE: Whenever I'm embarrassed or find myself in an awkward situation, I blush. What, exactly, is a blush? What happens to turn my cheeks red? — Rita, Dallas, Tex.

RITA: Blushing is a reaction of the nervous system which regulates the opening and closing of blood vessels of the skin. Extra blood rushes to the surface of the skin when a person becomes nervous, and we call this blushing. Everyone blushes, but some blush more than others.

GRANDFATHER IS A WISE MAN

DR. WALLACE: I just received a mini motorbike for my birthday from my grandparents. This is my best present ever. I've wanted one for at least two years. My grandpa said that I couldn't ride the bike until I get a good bike helmet. What is considered to be a good helmet and where can I get one? — Bobby, Ames, Iowa.

BOBBY: There are many types of safety bike helmets on the market, but trust only those that are certified to meet or exceed the safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute and American Society for Testing and Materials (ANSI-ASTM). A shop that sells bicycles should carry these products. Also, it's extremely important that your helmet fits properly. Ill-fitting helmets have a greater chance of coming off during an accident.

Your grandfather is a very wise gentleman!

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.