16 soccer players suspended at Lake Braddock H.S.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Does that make it right? Discriminating against gays isn't anything new either.

Never said it was right. Just said nothing new at any high school. It may not be as severe at some VS others but it still happens.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by CaseyMac

I agree tankdude--this is the parents' fault. Yes, the leadership may have looked the other way, but at the end of the day, you are responsible for your child's actions. I don't mean that in a condescending manner, I'm just stating the facts as I see them. If you need assistance, then get some counseling, talk to your spiritual leader, etc., but don't just sit there and watch the problem unravel.

I'll bet a parent provided the booze.

[Fern435]

Many parents lack the strength to do the right thing and instead practice the "I'm-my-teen's-best-friend-style" of parenting (except for striding into the school to insist on getting this teacher or that class, or special services). Their pampered teen should be able to smoke pot, steal food from the cafeteria (big problem in FCPS), and be the star of team. And get into Duke/Harvard/Princeton, etc. How dare the school try to enforce rules!

My husband overheard two fathers on the bus say that the teens invited to a certain party needed to "get their alcohol requests in" and that two mothers would be upstairs while the kids drank downstairs. In most cases, it's definitely the parents providing the alcohol and hosting these parties. It ensures their teen has lots of 'friends.'

The standard reply to criticism over this practice is "ALL teens are going to drink." Not true. Some don't drink alcohol because of religious reasons, some for medical issues. Some don't drink because of family circumstances.

Hazing with school sports teams is largely a leadership issue, since the teams are part of the school. Parents seem to be unwilling to tackle the hazing issue, because it's part of "building team spirit" and they don't want to spoil their teen's sport experience.

Just wondered if anybody had thoughts or experiences about how FCPS enforces the school policies.

[CaseyMac]

Fern435--you make lots of good points.

I think a lot of parents are just unprepared to be parents. They got married too quick or had kids too quick, are in debt, have marital issues and now they have this 15 y/o kid bossing them around. Some folks just can't handle that and it shows!

My hat goes off to those parents out there who stand up, take responsibility for themselves and their families and never tire of continuing to set a positive example for their kids!

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by Fern435

Many parents lack the strength to do the right thing and instead practice the "I'm-my-teen's-best-friend-style" of parenting (except for striding into the school to insist on getting this teacher or that class, or special services). Their pampered teen should be able to smoke pot, steal food from the cafeteria (big problem in FCPS), and be the star of team. And get into Duke/Harvard/Princeton, etc. How dare the school try to enforce rules!

My husband overheard two fathers on the bus say that the teens invited to a certain party needed to "get their alcohol requests in" and that two mothers would be upstairs while the kids drank downstairs. In most cases, it's definitely the parents providing the alcohol and hosting these parties. It ensures their teen has lots of 'friends.'

The standard reply to criticism over this practice is "ALL teens are going to drink." Not true. Some don't drink alcohol because of religious reasons, some for medical issues. Some don't drink because of family circumstances.

Hazing with school sports teams is largely a leadership issue, since the teams are part of the school. Parents seem to be unwilling to tackle the hazing issue, because it's part of "building team spirit" and they don't want to spoil their teen's sport experience.

Just wondered if anybody had thoughts or experiences about how FCPS enforces the school policies.

Well, again it goes back to parenting. No kid will be perfect, but it's one thing for a parent trying to teach them right and wrong, vs. a parent being an enabler.

I'd be pissed to find out that another parent provided alcohol to my child without my knowledge or consent.

These kids though, are one step away from college, and there, they'll have opportunities to freely experiment in things beyond just drinking, which include drugs, fornicating, etc.

Most of us were there once.

Has anyone noticed that stuff like this happens more to kids in team sports?

I don't hear about the chess team having booze parties or orgies.

[Workin_Hard]

Originally Posted by tankdude

I'd be pissed to find out that another parent provided alcohol to my child without my knowledge or consent.

Pissed would not even begin to describe what I'd be. That parent could only hope that the police locked them away before I get to him/her. Such behavior is worse than criminal whan a parent provides alcohol and a venue in which to partake.

I'm my daughters' parent first, her friend second. I tell her it's not my job to be popular with her, but to deliver her to adulthood intact and prepared to be successful in the world.