by Dana Arevalo,
P.O.V. Contributing Author
It's finally here. Your child's graduating. As a parent you feel bittersweet. Happy of the academic accomplishment while sad that your teen is growing up. Your 17-year-old approaches you and asks if he or she may have an after-party. Hesitant you and your significant other decide it is a good idea as you can chaperone the event. The moral and obvious thing to do is not to serve alcohol or drugs. Parents, be forewarned, not all parents feel the same. Some consider under-age drinking to be irresponsible even ignorant; while some parents are supportive.
Overall, the parents serving the alcohol are enablers. An enabler supports something that is negative and or self-destructive. For example, suppose an individual had a food addiction. An enabler would continue to support the person by bringing them bad foods in large quantities, knowing its harming them and supporting their addiction. Parents who drink or do drugs with their children are enablers. The enabling parent chooses to ignore the potential harm of the situation; that, however, in no way is an excuse. This topic, however, is debatable. Some feel that they'd rather have their teens drink under their roof in order to monitor or control the drinking. These parents are afraid that their teen will drink and be in danger at another location.
In May of this year, two parents were arrested for serving alcohol to under-age guests at their son's party in Breezy Point, New York. Being well respected individuals of their community some adults have supported them brushing the drinking off as a "summer custom" in their neighborhood. I feel that calling it a "summer custom" or openly admitting of the practice is absurd. Many children in the Breezy Point area attend a distinguished private school - is this an excuse?
What are your feelings about parents serving under-age "teens"?
Sources: Queens Parents' Arrest Calls Attention to Under-Age Drinking
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