Letter: Parents must know what their kids are doing

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003 | 9 a.m.

My daughter graduated last year from a program where students take both high school and college courses simultaneously. She wanted to have a small graduation swim party at our home. She was 18 and everyone she was inviting was 18 or 19. I didn't have many worries; these were good kids who excel in school, who respect themselves and others.

Before the party, I learned why they were such good kids. I received calls from several parents, asking: Who is chaperoning the party? Would there be alcohol? What time would the party end? Remember now, these were parents of young adults. Yet they wanted to know where their kids were about to spend time.

I read in the Sun about another set of high school kids, most under 18, who have spent their evenings in the last year terrorizing other students, culminating in a severe beating that nearly killed one boy.

Why weren't the parents of these kids asking questions? Why weren't they spending time with them? What are these parents teaching their children? Why are they allowing them to make excuses instead of making restitution? Why is another parent paying the price for their children's lack of respect for others and the law?

Where are your kids going to be tonight? Who will they be with? Have you called or dropped by to be sure?

BETTY JOHNSON