Newspaper Article

CONNECTICUT OPINION; STOP THE PARENT WHO OFFERS ALCOHOL

Relic, Peter D, Peter D. Relic is the Superintendent of Schools in West Hartford

1986

Overview

One of the most absurd excuses we hear is from parents who say: ''It's better to have the kids drink in our home than to do it all around the community.'' Once we have sanctioned drinking at home, we have given license to do it anywhere. Rather than limiting drinking to the home, we are only providing a start for the rest of the evening's activities. The most selfish excuse, which should become a rallying point for other parents to voice open opposition, is offered by the parent who says, ''I'd rather have my son drink at home so that he doesn't have to drive after the party.'' What about all the other sons and daughters who do get into cars after parties to go home? Some parents beg off by saying that they did not know drinking was going on in their home while they were away. ''I didn't chaperone the party, so I can't be blamed,'' they say. We can't let parents get away with that excuse. They must accept the responsibility of what goes on in their homes, whether they are chaperoning or whether their children have an open house without adults present.

• Publisher: New York Times Company
• Subject: CHILDREN AND YOUTH / LIQUOR / RELIC, PETER D