It is that time of year again. Graduates of all types are getting ready to walk down that isle of graduation. Ha ha. For high school people, there is no diploma. That will come in the middle of the summer in most cases. In fact… most of the grades are still not due into the registrar yet. Many people will walk in the ceremony, but still will not graduate (Thankx WASL and Every Child Left Behind). But that is a topic for anther day.
Besides prom, this is the most dangerous weekend for young adults. They are 18, want to party because they are going to be “officially” adult and they go and do something stupid. It will either get them killed or the school will refuse to let them participate in graduation or commencement activities.
I seem to be on a parent crusade this week. But I do not understand the adults who sanction beer parties at their homes for tons of almost grads. While I do think the alcohol age should be lower like in Germany… currently it is not in the states. At least if you can be killed by our government for fighting in wars, you should be able to drink. Again, but that is not the rules.
Now… I also for breaking the rules when necessary… or should I say bending the rules, or working around the rules. So applied to this situation, I have no problem with parents at home letting an offspring have a beer with dad watching the soccer game. I have not really seen any research on the effects of young people who have this experience and would not know it my self because my parents never smoked or drank. Ever! But it seems reasonable IN MOST circumstances. If young sally sue has just returned from drug rehab, then that is neglect by the parents.
What I do not understand are these parents (and sometimes groups of parents) who throw these keg parties for almost grads! To me there is a huge difference between an intelligent discussion with a mom saying that “we believe the drinking age should be lower so you may have one glass of wine with dinner and one beer if you are home watching a game,” and parents just saying “PARRRRTY” Lets get drunk.
There is no intelligent discussion. I think if you are going to go to that level, then get those parents and young adults and they can put that energy into changing the law.
If there are any 17-18 year olds getting ready to graduate, please do not do anything mortally stupid this weekend. Lay low. Bask in the fact you are an adult. And if you are not planning on going to college, make a plan and LEAVE HOME. Truly become a big person. I am tired of 30 year olds who have never left mommy or daddy.
Tags: graduation, Alcohol, Parties
