Dear Queenie,
I am an 18-year-old girl who just finished school and is soon going to Holland.
I am not a type that falls in love or had previous relationships, but it happens to be that I am really interested in a young fella and he is interested in me.
The problem is that my parents always told me that I have to be 21 to have a boyfriend, so in a way I’m confused, because I really like him.
Queenie, I don’t want to have a relationship behind my parents’ backs. And because of that I can’t really be open to him. I tend to be real shy.—Confused
Dear Confused,
It is true that I am opposed to girls starting to date and to have exclusive relationships too young. However, it is unrealistic to expect a girl to wait until she is 21 to start dating and having more than casual acquaintance with boys.
I suggest you talk this problem over with your parents and try to persuade them that you are old enough and responsible enough to be trusted to handle a boy-girl relationship responsibly. Ask them to meet this boy and get acquainted with him.
If they are suitably impressed with him and with your mature handling of the situation, perhaps they will relent on their restrictive attitude.
However, I must point out that a long-distance relationship is difficult to maintain at any age, and particularly when you are so young. So unless this fella is going to Holland too, I suggest you do not get too serious with him before you leave. You will certainly meet many attractive and personable young men in Holland.
