Teen tired of boyfriend's immaturity

Dear Straight Talk: I'm 16 and I'm writing to complain about boys my age. They are just that: boys! My boyfriend's idea of fun is going out with friends, drinking and getting stoned. Deface a few signs and you have a great evening in his opinion. I find such activity a silly waste of time and brain cells, and quite frankly, it's dull. I know he has potential and is just a kid, but isn't it weird that I am saying he is just a kid! My parents won't allow me to date anyone over 18, so how do I get my boyfriend to grow up? Or do I give up on him? Not that anyone else looks any better: the "mature" ones seem nerdy and the popular ones seem immature. - Just asking From Geoff, 21: In high school, I was that "mature" nerd you weren't interested in. Now I'm older and many women have grown weary of "boys" and no longer find my maturity a turnoff. Don't give up on the nerds! From Mary, 17: If you don't like his actions, tell him! If he won't change, leave him. Your statement that nobody else is any better is mean. Talk to some of the "nerdy" guys and see what they're like. Or don't date! It's not a necessity!From Farren, 20: Girls often complain about their boyfriends, only to break up and date the same type of guy. Some popular guys don't party, but you will greatly increase your playing field if you consider unpopular guys. Yes, the mature ones seem nerdy, but so what? Also, if you think you are going to change a guy, save the heartbreak and broaden your horizons. My senior year I enrolled in a college program and met amazing guys my age who didn't care about petty things from high school. From Nicole, 17: At 16, most boys are simply boys. Only rarely will you find a mature young man. When I was 16, my boyfriend was 19, and I asked myself your same question! In five years, give or take, you'll be at the same level.From Rose, 20: At 16, I partied hard and did things your boyfriend is doing. I didn't grow out of it until I went to jail. Your boyfriend can land there, too, for the things he is doing. I doubt your influence will change him. From Lennon, 21: I was one of the few popular guys in my high school who didn't have the urge to drink, smoke, or abuse unwitting mailboxes. But still, guys remain children for a long time. You don't want a guy who is too serious, but one who can buckle down when the need arises.From Johannes, 20: You're 16, not 30 with a kid on the way! You're wasting silly time and brain cells worrying about boys and boyfriends. Their problems are their own to fix. Enjoy high school for what it is and leave the adult years for when you're an adult.From Mariah, 15: Guys think they'll be young forever. It is usually a life-altering experience that causes them to look at the world differently. From Shelby, 15: You sound like a snob and a male-basher. Are you doing anything in life to have fun and make people smile? From Kendal, 20: There is some validity to the saying that "girls are two years ahead of guys," but I think you're just dating the wrong guy. Figure out what you want in a guy, instead of finding a guy and trying to turn him into what you want. That's maturity.Dear Just asking: And from me: Live your standards, but don't burn bridges. A mature young woman knows that someday she'll be 30, 40, and 50 years old. I guarantee that some of the "nerds" and "boys" of today will knock your socks off tomorrow.Write to Straight Talk at www.StraightTalkForTeens.com or 3215 Fortune Ct. Auburn, CA 95602.