THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 8, 1994 TAG: 9407070180
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: TRACI & DORAN
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Dear Traci and Doran,
I'm 13 years old and I attend Great Neck Middle School. My mom won't let me go to concerts because she thinks they would be a bad influence on me. How can I change her mind? - Concert Blues
Dear Blues,
First of all, don't let your frustration turn into hostility toward your mother. She is only trying to do what is in your best interest. (Although that is not what you wanted to hear, it's true.)
At 13, you can't drive, and you can't even get into some concert places unless you are 18 or older. Plus, the curfew in Virginia Beach is 11 p.m. for those under age 18. Other cities have similar curfews, and most concerts last well past that time.
Besides those legal restrictions, your mother has probably heard accounts of mass hysteria that sometimes erupts at big concerts, and she doesn't approve of your being caught up in such activity.
It may be true that you are mature and responsible enough to handle going to a concert, but that curfew still applies and so do the admissions age restrictions.
Your mom might feel more comfortable if you went to an outdoor day concert with another responsible adult or even an older cousin or aunt. Try suggesting that.
Dear Traci and Doran,
I have a problem. I've been messing with a guy for over a year, and now he has finally asked me to go out with him. The problem is I am no longer interested in him. What should I do? - No Longer Interested
Dear N.L.I.,
The dog-and-cat-chase appears to be a common problem among teens (and probably some adults).
The whole problem stems when a person's interest is centered around ``the chase'' and not the person. When this is the case, once the chaser gets the opportunity to be with that person, he or she loses all interest. This appears to be the problem you are having.
Since you have lost interest, it's not really fair to continue to lead him on. Let him know that you want the relationship to remain completely platonic.
In the future, be aware of why you are interested in another person. Do you really like the person or do you just like the challenge of attracting him? MEMO: Traci Hill is a 1994 graduate of First Colonial High headed for
Applacian State University and Doran Ricks is 1994 graduate of
Southampton High School headed for the University of Virginia. Their
column appears biweekly in Teenology. They accept questions on INFOLINE.
Call 640-5555 and enter category 8335. Or write to them at 4565 Virginia
Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462. by CNB