Emily Troper

Has anyone heard the new public service announcement from the Dept.
of Human Services? They are going on about the rates of drinking in
teenagers, and the risks to their developing brain, etc. and then
they say, authoritatively, that parents need to impose MORE rules and
consequences to stop this drinking epidemic.

I felt SO upset about them playing into this fear-based parenting
that seems so prevalent - MORE consequences is the root of the
problem in my opinion, and MORE rules and consequences can only cause
teenagers to sneak around, and/or feel shamed and un-loved, which I'm
sure leads to more drinking - gotta numb the pain of being
misunderstood and disrespected I guess.

What about MORE family time? MORE connection? MORE trust?
Respecting and encouraging their passions and interests? I am always
amazed that in a typical high school setting when a teenager violates
school rules or gets poor grades, they often take away the
"privilege" of their beloved sports or arts activity (as an
incentive?), and we wonder why teenage suicide is on the rise...


Emily





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