Our View: Parents are needed to prevent underage drinking
It’s up to parents to talk to each other and stay informed about what their kids are doing.
Teenagers are almost adults, and ready to make many of the most important decisions without their parents help.
The key words in that last sentence are “almost” and “many.”
With high school graduation and prom season already under way, there is still a measure of support that our teens need from us, as they celebrate the big transitions that are going on in their lives.
When a teen is headed out for a party, the most important thing a parent can do is ask two questions: Will parents be there, and will there be alcohol?
Parents who support each other are the strongest protection kids can have. Parents who won’t say yes to a party until their questions have been answered can save lives.
It’s important that parents talk to each other during this period and get the message out that underage drinking is dangerous, and facilitating it is a crime.
Parents who have looked out for their teens since they were born are needed to look out for them for just a little longer.
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3 COMMENTS
mutt said...
Omg how lame is this. At a time when over 50% of students report drug or alcohol in the past 30 days this is the best u come up with. In a culture that glorifies (the hangover) how about teaching and educating our kids. When they get to college binge drinking becomes epidemic. We say at 18 ur an adult in everyway. Except u cannot legally drink. Please get some education and let's see if we can turn this around http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/
May 23, 2010 at 7:38 AM Report abuse
Felix said...
HECK, WHY NOT SAY THAT WE JUST PLAIN NEED INVOLVED AND COMMITTED PARENTS, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!
May 23, 2010 at 7:56 AM Report abuse
Chew said...
When I graduated the "underage" issue was not a factor since the drinking age was 18... The fallout from the 21 year old age is that just as much drinking still happens except the penalties have become tougher. The way to resolve the issue is through education and creating penalties so harsh the motivation to not drink is greater than the motivation to drink. However I suggest making the drinking age 19 as well since most (not all) high school students are out of school at that age. Actually, there should be only (1) One age of being an adult, (19 in my opinion), since most kids are out of high school, and it is at that age they should register for the armed service, be allowed to vote, smoke, drink, and marry and well as partake of any other "adult" activities. One age... Lets solve the problem rather than use it as a political beachball.
May 24, 2010 at 9:37 AM Report abuse