Derrick, 18 from Los Angeles writes…

My parents don’t approve of my new girlfriend, because she’s Latino. They keep telling me we’re above that, we shouldn’t be mingling with such people and so forth. She is an awesome girl, so happy with her, she makes me feel amazing, I don’t want to give her up. Her and I met at school and have been good friends for months, now we’re dating. My parents make it so difficult, I can’t have her over and if they know I’m going out to see her they demand I stay home. Are they right? Should I still see her or am I making a mistake.

Dr Thatslife has this to say….

Your parents are dead wrong… dead fucking wrong, and don’t ever let them convince you otherwise. Never make such decisions to satisfy others, parents included. If this girl makes you feel like a fucking superstar, rock on.

What have the discussions with your parents entailed? Are they simply emotionally charged debates and screaming matches; or have you honestly had a mature discussion highlighting the values and positive attributes of your girlfriend? You need to determine what their negative perceptions are, and build a strategy around conquering them.

To me it sounds like a childish demonstration of class elitism, in which case you need to highlight educational, financial or other equally moronic status symbols your girlfriend may possess. While you don’t give a shit about all that, drop kicking it at your stunningly shallow parents may lessen their heckling, as you’re speaking to them in terms they appreciate. Then if they allow slightly more leverage, they can have more exposure to her – and hopefully realize she isn’t some classless peasant, but in fact a pleasant person whom brings you happiness.

The incredible part of all this, is that your parent’s opinion of your girlfriend most likely stems from insecurities and concerns of their own status in society. Kind of like the fatty that’s always first to point out how fat other people are around them. It’s deflecting criticism from themselves to others. And since they are so concerned about the subject of class themselves, they are over sensitized to it in others. Amazing eh? A real learning experience for you, and a lesson in life you can take away to enhance and improve your own life and how you treat and view others.

You keep enjoying this girl Derrick, it really is a challenge to find someone who truly brings happiness.

That… is life.