DEPRESSED, 17, AND WANT OUT

Everybody's Uncle,

Can I move out at the age of 17 if I still live with my parents? What is the legal age in South Carolina?

DEPRESSED

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Dear Depressed,

Are you physically or sexually abused?
If so, report this to your school, police, clergy or other legal authorities.

If not, consider these questions:
Do you have enough food to eat?
Do you have clothes to wear?
Do you have a computer?
Do you spend time playing video games?
Do you spend time on the Internet?
Do you have access to a car?
Do you have your own bedroom?
Do you have a cell phone?
Do you attend school?
Do you have any friends?
Do you have any recreational time?
Do you disagree with the rules of your home?
Do you think your parents love you?
Do you understand how import your education is?

If the answer to most of these questions is "yes," you are probably a typical teenager.

Next, consider these questions:
Do you have a job with sufficient income to support yourself?
Have you been legally emancipated?

If the answer is no, you cannot move out legally or financially.

Here is the tough one:
Do you really want to move out of your parent's house or do you really want to move in with your boyfriend?

If there is a boyfriend in the picture, you are experiencing teenage girl fantasy.

Read the other "Move out" inquiries on this web site. Each has some legal and social considerations. Read "I should have listened," and "Eleven years of abuse." Then, write a "thank you" note to Uncle Jimmy for saving you from a terrible mistake.

Two years - two babies - no boyfriend - no money. "Now" looks like paradise.
Everybody's Uncle