I am dating a guy and I want to be with him. But my parents do not agree with my perspective. They think he is as bad as other guys out there but they don't even know him.

I am an only child. I feel as if no one understands me nowadays, and I can only depend on him.

Pastor, what should I do? I can't talk it out with my parents. They just won't allow me to date.

Confused Kid, St. Andrew, Jamaica

Dear Confused Kid,

You did not give your age but I am assuming that you are in your early teens. So your mother is not in favour of your dating this guy. You may think that nobody understands you but you are wrong.

Teenagers always feel that older folks don't understand them. Yes, I know that some parents try to shelter their children; they don't even allow them to go out in groups. Some are, indeed, overprotective, but it is better for parents to go to the extreme in protecting their children, than to allow them to do whatever they want and get into serious trouble with the law or to wreck their future by making very bad decisions.

Don't try to hide how you feel from your parents. you don't have to be rude to them but you should learn to express yourself to them, and to see them not just as parents but as gifts from God to you.

Pastor.