Published: June 12, 2008 03:43 pm            

Parents do influence today's youth

By JARROD SPENCER

McLeansboro Church of Christ

Parental influence is known to be one of the greatest influences on a child.

A parent’s values and opinions will be reflected on their children. A mother will influence her daughter as to how to be a wife and mother, and influence her son as to what to look for and expect in a wife. A father, similarly, will influence his son as to how to be a husband and father, and influence his daughter as to what to look for and expect in a husband.

How a parent deals with conflict and authority will affect how the child deals with these things. How the parent views religion and politics will dictate much of how the child views these things.

One other area that I didn’t mention, which I am finding all too common, is the seemingly complacent attitude toward underage drinking and/or tobacco use.

Age limits are set in place for a reason. Partly so the physical body will be ready for the use of such products and partly so the person will have the maturity to make the right decision regarding using the products.

Oftentimes, the parents will say something like, “I did it when I was young, and I made it through OK!” “They’re just kids, and kids will be kids,” to give depth to their decision to allow their kids to use alcohol and tobacco. Regardless of whether or not the parent was involved in the recreational use of these products when they were teenagers, it still does not permit kids to do it today.

I was talking with two young men recently, on separate occasions, regarding the use of both alcohol and tobacco. One young man was coming across as proud regarding his drinking practice. Upon asking if his parents knew about this, he said, “Yes.” I told him that I felt sorry for him because parents should have more love and concern for their children than to risk the health and life of their child by letting them drink. The second situation came about when I saw a young man with a partially used cigarette tucked behind his ear. Upon asking him what he was doing with it, since I knew he was underage, he replied, “Yeah, I know, my mom buys them for me.”

We all want to grow up sooner than we need to, but there is no reason not to make your children wait until they’re of proper age to decide whether or not to take part in drinking or smoking.

Underage use of alcohol and tobacco will probably never end. However, if parents would stop buying or giving a place to use these products, for their children, maybe the underage use of these products would be lowered.

• Jarrod Spencer is the minister of the Church of Christ in McLeansboro.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.