We were out for
dinner tonight and a middle school girls' sports team came into the
restaurant. Two coaches and a couple of other adult chaperones were
with them. Not long after they sat down, I glanced over and noticed
that all of the adults had ordered very large glasses of beer.
I'm not writing
tonight to discuss whether drinking in general is right or wrong. I
want to talk about the irresponsibility that this action showed these
young, impressionable girls as well as anyone else who happened to
notice what they were drinking. Even if you believe that drinking an
alcoholic beverage with your meal is acceptable, would you do so in
front of an entire sports team of middle school children who were under
your care? I think it shows a lack of good judgement on the part of all
the adults involved.
Children watch
everything we do. Teachers and coaches have the opportunity to be some
of the most influential people in their students' lives. From my own
educational experience, I can attest that some of my greatest mentors
were my teachers. Have teachers forgotten how important their role is
in guiding young minds? The Bible gives teachers a very high calling,
and while I don't expect non-believing teachers to meet that standard,
this particular incident seems to be more of a social responsibility
issue.
Adolescents are
faced with peer pressure daily to drink, smoke, have sex, etc... When
Susie goes to a party this weekend and is offered a beer, why shouldn't
she take it since she just saw Coach Jones drinking one last night? And
how many did she see the Coach drink anyway? 1? 3? How many beers
will it take for Susie to become drunk, wasted, or until she simply
throws up and passes out? I know I'm getting a little graphic, but
children aren't ready to make decisions like this. When they see the
influential adults in their lives choosing to drink, then why wouldn't
they choose the same thing? They don't see the difference in a
responsible adult enjoying an occassional beer and a 13 year old
drinking themselves into oblivion.
Again, if you you
believe that an occasional drink is acceptable, then I would never
judge you for it. If you were choosing to drink it in front of a dozen
impressionable young girls, then I would be upset. I think this was
wrong from so many angles, and I hope that in spite of my lack of
eloquence as a writer, my point is clear. Responsible teachers don't
drink in front of students, and I also don't believe that parents should
be drinking in front of other people's children. And this, my friends,
is yet another terrific reason that the homeschool movement is
continuously booming and another reason that I know I am blessed to be a
part of the homeschooling experience.
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