DR. WALLACE: My parents have set a "start dating" age for me of 16 and a half. I've got six months to go, which means I will be the only girl in the 11th grade whose parents won't allow her to date and I'll miss all the holiday events while all my friends will be enjoying them. I always get above-average grades and I'm not a problem at school, and I'm a pretty good kid at home, too.

I think my dad, a lawyer, and my mom, a dentist, are completely out of touch with reality. Your thoughts, please. — Carrie, Boston, Mass.

CARRIE: You may or may not be mature enough to start dating before that magic date, but my disagreement with your parents is in their letting the calendar do their decision-making.

Maturity is not a function of chronological age. In my opinion, parents should be willing to cut the apron strings and allow their teen to start dating once she has: A) expressed an interest in doing so, and B) demonstrated maturity and trustworthiness. This usually occurs sometime after the teen turns 15.

TWO STRIKES AND YOU ARE OUT

DR. WALLACE: A boy and I attend the same church. We are both 17, have similar interests, and I was happy when he asked me to see a movie with him. He picked me up, met my parents and even opened the car door for me. When we got to the theater, he fumbled around looking for his wallet and said, "I goofed. I forgot to bring my wallet with me." Fortunately, I always keep a $20 bill in my purse for emergency money, so I paid for the tickets.

We agreed to see another movie the following week, so when he picked me up I asked him if he brought his wallet and he said yes. When we got to the movie, he pulled out his wallet and said, "Uh oh, I forgot to cash the check my grandparents gave me for my birthday." He showed me a check; it was for $100. Again, I paid for the movie because my dad had replenished my wallet with my emergency money.

I told my parents about his "mysterious disappearance or lack of funds" and asked for their evaluation of the fact that he owed me $40. My dad said he was a con man and advised me to forget the money, but not to date him again.

My mom thinks he might have made two honest mistakes and I should give him one more chance, but when he comes to our house to pick me up, I should ask him to, "show me the money." If he doesn't have it, he definitely is a con man and he should be told to hit the road. Which plan do you prefer? I'm leaning toward my mother's, but my dad's plan also makes sense. — Debby, Dallas, Tex.

DEBBY: In the game this boy is playing, two strikes are out. Take your dad's advice.

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.