Pubdate: Thu, 25 May 2000
Source: New Times (CA)
Contact:  http://newtimes-slo.com/
Author: Mark Fleming
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n673/a08.html

WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?

I read in horror the cover story, "An Epidemic of E," which described the 
high use of the durg ecstasy by teenagers at The Grad and Tortilla Flats. 
It made me want to scream, "Where are the parents!"

It's absurb that parents don't know what their teenage children are doing. 
They drop them off at a bar at night and assume all will be well, when a 
quick look around the crowd should be enough to make any idiot at least a 
bit suspicious.

I've seen these parents before, and there are many - for them, it's just 
plain easier to close their eyes and give into their kids' demands for 
freedom. No conflict and you're a cool parent. Wonderful. These are the 
same parents that, for example, let their elementary school children watch 
movies like "American Pie" and other sex and drug-filled R-rated movies.

Where are the parents!!!

Of course you have to let your children have some freedom as they mature, 
but you've also got to look hard at who their friends are and where they 
go. Parenting is hard work, made harder by too many absent parents these days.

Mark Fleming, San Luis Obispo
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D