<p>1of42~</p>
<p>Thank you for understanding EXACTLY what I was trying to say.</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>
Yes, they are. And that is exactly why the sentencing of the parents in the article cited by the OP was overly punitive. Fact is, the judge DIDN’T take into consideration the fact that there were NO damanges resulting from this thoughtless, stupid, and very inappropriate act. In fact, many of the kids had NO alcohol in their systems at all after having been to that party.</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>
Well stated, and oh so true. And yes, I’m holding my breath just like every other parent on this earth…</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>“It’s still their fault for drinking, their fault for driving, and the one’s fault for talking on the cell phone.”</p>
<p>Yep. And their fault for not wearing seat belts.</p>
<p>It’s true that sometimes, smart and careful young people who were well brought up make a stupid mistake that’s out of character. Maybe my experience is atypical, but I’ve never seen drunk driving serve as that mistake. Throwing away money, yes; ill-advised sexual encounter, yes; participating in a stupid prank, yes. Drunk driving, no. The people I know who drove drunk were either selfish and entitled people, or else in the throes of an addiction that made them selfish and entitled. I just don’t see this as the kind of good-faith error of judgment that most young people will make.</p>
<p>“And yes, I’m holding my breath just like every other parent on this earth…”</p>
<p>Me too, Berurah. Having a teen on the road is the most nerve-wracking parenting stage, bar none, if you ask me. I KNOW he needs the experience to become good driver before heading off (carless) for freshman year, but it’s hard to relax until the car is back in the driveway and he’s home. The endless stream of parties this time of year just adds to the equation.</p>
<p>
I would have to agree with this Hanna, from my own experience. The biggest violation my oldest son has committed was driving 50 mph one night in a 40 mph zone (no alcohol involved, and he received a $100.00 ticket for that). And he felt AWFUL about it and was profusely apologetic. Not too bad for a 20.5 year old. But then, I have never missed ONE opportunity to talk to him about how it would TRASH his life if he accidentally took the life of another if he drove drunk and caused an accident.</p>
<p>lspf72~</p>
<p>I agree totally…having a teen (or even young adult) kid on the road is <em>really</em> unnerving. Not only are THEY lesser experienced and more prone to mistakes, but they are less practiced at defensive driving, something which I have done naturally for years.</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>I do (and have) agreed the sentence is far too severe for the parents in this case, given that no one was hurt. But I have to say now knowing they did not take measures to protect the kids they claimed (withholding carkeys and blocking drives) and that they lied to parents about alcohol being available, I am considerably less sympathetic to their plight.</p>
<p>Perhaps the reason no one was hurt was because the police interrupted the festivities fairly early. None of us knows what could have happened later that night. Maybe lives were saved.</p>
<p>Very good point cartera.</p>