Dear Miss Emily:

I am 16 years old and I have been in a relationship with my boyfriend for a year and a half. As our relationship has grown, and I've grown so close to him, I have also become very jealous. I get jealous when he has conversations with my close friends, especially. How can I deal with this problem.

----------------------------Miss Emily's advice----------------------

It requires maturity. Jealousy is a useless, but also destructive emotion. It eats like a cancer and can destroy good relationships. Your jealousy wouldn't be able to prevent him finding interest in someone else. And it's counterproductive. It could serve as a valid reason for letting you go. People are communicators, by nature, and his talking to your friends is pretty normal behavior -- unless he's shamelessly flirting, or purposely excluding you from his interactions with your friends. If that's not the case, I'd keep a level head for your own well-being and sense of self worth.