By Tim Jahn, M.ED
Graduation is just around the corner and high school seniors everywhere will be reflecting on four years of friendships, classes, tests, homecomings, dances and many other memories. And, while they’re closing the door on a pretty important part of their young life, they will be opening the door to a wide open future.
High school graduation is a time to celebrate a senior’s successes and future plans. Celebrations can range from quiet dinners in a nice restaurant to large parties for all the teen’s relatives and friends. And the kids may have their own ideas for celebrating.
Whether large or small, these festivities should NOT include alcohol for underage individuals. It’s hard to say no to teens in mixed company when adults are enjoying a beer or glass of wine, but the homeowner can be held legally responsible for underage drinking. Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have social host laws that make it a crime to allow minors to drink alcohol in your house. Allowing teens to drink alcohol is unsafe for many reasons. Not only are they a danger to themselves, to their friends and to others if they drive under the influence, but teens who have been drinking are more likely to be assaulted, drown or fall, or injure themselves in some other way.
It takes courage and persistence, but the best and safest approach is to not allow underage drinking in your home. Make it clear that this rule applies whether you are home or not. In addition to the illegality of serving alcohol to minors, research shows that kids whose parents or friends’ parents provide alcohol are more likely to engage in heavier drinking, to drink more often, and to get into traffic accidents.
Discuss your teen’s plans for graduation celebrations. Who, what, when and where are the important questions to ask, but parental monitoring also requires follow-up. Once you have your answers, double-check with other parents to make sure everyone is on the same page. Finally, talk with your teen about having fun without drinking alcohol or using drugs so that the door to the future remains wide open and is not prematurely closed by a car accident, DWI or other misfortune caused by drinking or drugging.
Tim Jahn is a Human Ecology Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. He can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 331 or at tcj2@cornell.edu.