Alcohol, grads just don't mix
POSTED: May 13, 2008
Parents and children need to sit down and talk about alcohol use with the upcoming graduation parties.
The American Medical Association reported one in 10 parents say that is was OK for teenagers to attend prom or graduation parties with alcohol if a parent was present. One in five teenagers ages 16 to 18 reported they have attended a graduation party with underage drinking and parents present, and 15 percent of those teens reported they were at a graduation party where alcohol was supplied by parents.
The law is very clear about supplying alcohol to anyone under the legal age.
But parents seem to look the other way at graduation parties. It is sort of a coming-of-age event where a child gets to “kick a couple back” with the adults.
Fortunately, the number of parents providing alcohol to teens is still kind of a small number. The majority of parents don’t supply alcohol to their children or their underage friends.
Unfortunately, the end result isn’t good for a child who leaves a graduation party intoxicated. They may get behind the wheel of a car, and it could turn tragic.
Underage drinking is a factor in one of the leading causes of death for teenagers — car accidents. Underage alcohol use also is linked to two-thirds of all sexual assaults, date rapes of teens and increases the chance of sexually transmitted diseases.
Sometimes, parents feel the pressure of supplying alcohol at graduation parties. Those parents don’t want to embarrass their son or daughter, especially when they are told “everyone will be doing it.”
Parents and teenagers need to sit down before graduation parties.
If the parents are the host, they need to make it clear the party will be alcohol free — even for the adults. The party can be great for everyone attending, even without the so called traditional keg in the corner.
Parents also need to talk to their children about attending other graduation parties. Find out who is hosting, if alcohol will be available, who all is invited and how many adults will be present.
Also, talk to your child about what to do if they are at a party with alcohol present. The child needs to be reassured that turning away from peer pressure to have a couple of beers is the best decision.
Graduation parties are a celebration of a big event in a teens’ life. They are growing up but parents need to remember that they aren’t all grown up.
