Responsible Parents For a Safe High School Graduation

"Parents should realize that just because it's prom or graduation season, doesn't mean that healthy structure for teenagers should be compromised. There have been many recent cases of permissive parents who have provided support or, perhaps, tacit approval of unhealthy teenage behaviors during high school prom and graduation season. Although most parents want teenagers to make safe and healthy choices at all times, during prom and graduation season, the focus should be on being a responsible parent to your child and not his or her "friend". Striving to be the "cool" parent during prom or graduation can lead to disastrous results. So that means, no renting hotel rooms for teens, providing them with alcohol or allowing them to drink at home, etc. Most prom or graduation horror stories are the direct result of unhealthy choices made by parents.


A recent study reveals that almost half of teen traffic fatalities during prom and graduation weekends were alcohol-related. Fatal car accidents, injuries, and assaults are not an adolescent rite of passage for any teen. Underage drinking is a major factor in the two leading causes of teenage deaths: car crashes and fatal injuries. It's also linked to two-thirds of sexual assaults and date rapes of teens, and increases the likelihood of unsafe and unplanned sexual activity. Many students who normally choose not to drink or engage in sexual behavior are tempted and under enormous peer pressure to be part of the prom or graduation party. Parents need to set appropriate expectations and continue to adhere to household rules about alcohol use and curfews. Many states are prosecuting parents who serve alcohol to minors."   ---Marty Wolner