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I agree 100% that it is a parent's job to educate his/her child about the dangers that await outside the family home: alcohol/drug abuse, unwanted pregnancy, STI's, self-defense, cooking and doing your own laundry, cleaning house, peer pressure, self respect and self discipline.
College is a place to fail. It is a place to make lots of mistakes: to try on new hats, take classes you know you'll be terrible at, to assume positions of leadership or thought that might intrigue you. It's the beginning of your adult like, and the more mistakes you make in college, the wiser and more well-equpped you will be when you leave those ivy-covered buildings with your degree. But it IS a parent's responsibility to provide his/her child with the general framework of common sense and self-respect to keep that child from engaging in self-destructive behaviors like binge drinking when the parent at lasts hands his/her precious child over to that university and it's sacred halls of learning.
I don't think anyone willfully drinks himself to death, nor is it the intention of his peers to kill him. Parents, educate your kids about the dangers of self-destructive behaviors. Lobby your child's school, your church, etc. to provide mandatory classes on self-respect and consequences that include attending AA meetings or shocking photos that will snap that child into reality.
Binge drinking won't go away. But with preventative maintenance beginning in the home, and continued awareness through schools and campus organization presentations (including SADD, Greek Councils, Student Council, etc.), more students will be prepared.
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