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Love Is the Key to Successful Parenting
DR. WALLACE: I am a single parent of an 11-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. I had a lot of problems as a teen because my parents were super lenient in controlling me. Let's say I could do almost anything that I wanted with no questions asked.…Read more.
Give Intelligent Young Women a Break
DR. WALLACE: I'm angry that you encourage all girls, even the mentally, emotionally and physically mature young women who happen to be teenagers, not to get involved with older guys. You are dead wrong in your assumption that older guys and teenage …Read more.
Open and Honest Conversation Is Paramount
DR. WALLACE: Please tell me what to do. I'm 20, married three years and the mother of a 2-year-old son. I love my husband very much, but I'm lonely and depressed. My husband works 12 to 16 hours, 6 days a week. I have no friends, no job and no time …Read more.
My Friend's Mother Helps Her Cheat
DR. WALLACE: We have homework four days a week in world history. I do all my homework by myself, but my best friend's mother helps her with hers. I average a B on my homework, but my friend averages an A. I don't believe this is fair. Both of us are …Read more.
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Too Many Young Lives will be Wrecked or LostDR. WALLACE: My husband and I are aware that teens experiment with all types of alcohol when they are on dates, at parties or anywhere else where teens congregate. This type of alcohol consumption is unacceptable because of peer pressure to "have one and have fun." Many teens that consume alcohol are not really aware of the problems that can occur. These can include unwanted sexual contacts and drunken driving. My husband wants to teach our 17-year-old daughter how to drink responsibly at home. My husband and I enjoy one cocktail each after supper and, at times, a glass or two of wine at supper. My husband wants to allow our daughter to have a small sampling of what we drink, gradually building her tolerance to a safe level. I understand where he is coming from, but I don't think encouraging our young daughter to consume alcohol is advisable. I've been reading your teen column for quite some time and I'm positive that you and I have the same philosophy on underage "responsible" drinking. If you agree with me, I'll use your column for assistance in getting my husband to change his mind. If you don't agree with me, please toss my request in the trash. Thanks! — Mother, Michigan City, Ind. MOTHER: I have been writing this column for quite some time and my view on teenage drinking has never wavered! It doesn't matter where they drink or why they drink; I'm against teens drinking alcohol of any kind. Please show your husband the following letter sent some time ago from someone much more enlightened on the subject of parents teaching responsible drinking to their teens: DR.
I hear hundreds of cases involving those who are licensed to sell alcohol in Michigan who furnish alcohol to minors. While it is important to be firm with those who do so, it only addresses one-third of the problem. The other two-thirds — the minor and the employee who makes the sale — also need to be held responsible if our society is ever to stem the needless tragedy and death caused by alcohol consumption among teens. Nor is it solely a "drinking and driving" problem. It is really a respect-for-law problem. Parents who subvert 21-year-old drinking laws are teaching their children it's OK to break unpopular laws. Until those people, especially parents, who provide alcohol to minors are held to the same standard as stores, restaurants and bars, our nation's attention to this problem will be hit-and-miss. Regrettably, it also means that too many young lives will be needlessly wrecked or lost. — James Storey, Member, Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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