Letters from the Switched on "Approval Issue" issue

Dear SwitchedOn,
I am having problems with my parents; they keep getting up in my business. Why should they care who I date, it is my choice. I'm 18 and my girlfriend is 15, but we love each other and that's all that should matter. How do I get them to stop bothering me?
Signed,
James

Dear James,
Although it probably don't seem like it right now, your parents are “bothering” you because they care and love you. You are in a complex relationship right now with a girl who is not only three years younger then you, but also a minor. If you happen to be in a sexual relationship with her, even consensual, then it is considered a crime. Depending on which state you live in the punishments can range from fines to time served in jail. So, give them a break and understand why they are concerned, they do not want to end up visiting their son in jail.
Signed,
SwitchedOn

Dear SwitchedOn,
I have been in a new relationship for about two months. I am a very quiet, person and I dress a little eccentric, and most people call me a Goth. My boyfriend is the total opposite; he is clean cut, Abercrombie style as well as a total jock. Everyone in my high school makes fun of us, they don't understand how we can like each other, because they think we are so different. I feel like it is going to break up our relationship. What can I do to make them leave us alone? I don't want to change who I am just so they stop.
Signed,
Amber

Dear Amber,
You are right, you should never change who you are for anyone else. The kids in your school are probably just jealous of you relationship and are acting out because of it. If the two of you are happy together, then that is all that should matter. Like they say, opposites attract, and it's probably because there is so much to learn about a person that you are not a lot alike. Sooner or later your classmates will find some other couple to make comments about, so ignore them for now and focus on getting to know each other.
Signed,
SwitchedOn

Dear SwitchedOn,
I recently started to see this guy who is a senior and I am a freshman. He will graduate soon and my friends think he is just using me until he leaves for college?
Signed,
Camille

Dear Camille,
Well, it is hard to say if he is using you. Some people do meet at inconvenient times in their lives. Because you are freshman and he is a senior it can be a tricky relationship and you need to make sure you realize that he will probably leave and you will probably not be together after that. As long as you talk openly to him about the situation, you can avoid being hurt later on. However, if you feel that he is using you, then it is probably a good idea to break it off now.
Signed,
SwitchedOn