The document discusses a scenario where a parent throws a graduation party for their daughter and hires a caterer, DJ, and buys alcohol. Some of the daughter's underage friends smuggle beer, get drunk, and get in a car accident. The parent is then sued for negligence. The document then provides advice on how to minimize liability for underage drinking at parties, such as mandating all keys be collected, hiring a banquet hall, seeking help if the child resists safety measures, and recognizing that good kids can drink too.

1. Micaela Feiteira
2010 077 90
Assignment 4
Authentic Resource

7. Here's the scenario.
Your daughter is matriculating from high school and you
throw her a huge backyard bash to celebrate the occasion.
You hire a caterer, find a DJ, and proceed to your local liquor
store for cases of beer (for you and the other adults
attending) and soda (for her). The attendees are a wild mix of
family, your friends and co-workers, and your daughter's
friends. You've warned your daughter that there will be no
underage drinking at this party and she agrees to spread the
word. Your daughter and her friends have never given you an
ounce of worry, so you trust them completely. Therefore, you
are shocked to learn the next day that a few of her friends
smuggled some of the beer into the garage and proceeded
to get drunk under your roof. They then got into a car and
wrapped themselves around a tree. Shock turns to confusion
later on when you are sued for negligence by the parents of
the kids in the car. You call a lawyer and self-righteously
exclaim "We're not liable! We told those kids they were not
allowed to drink in our home!" Guess again.

9. As a class, break into groups of four members, here you will be
discussing;
 If you were the parents of the girl who hosted the party, how
would you deal with your daughters dishonesty? What would
her punishment be, keep in mind she has now matriculated,
even though she is under age.
 If you were the parents of the children who “wrapped”
themselves around a tree? How would you deal with the
consequences and guilt that might come with having said
“yes” to letting your child attend the party?
 After discussing the following questions, role play in your
groups for marks, one of the above scenarios, and the
consequences that will unravel from the above happenings.

11.  How can you minimize the chances of the above scenario
happening to you? Don't buy alcohol for parties where minors
will be attending. Eliminate the alcohol and the problem goes
away. However, be aware that this does not prevent others
from bringing alcohol into your home. It may also make for a
very boring affair. It's much more fun to see Uncle Hector
dancing the Macarena than discussing the price of gas. A
solution would be to mandate that all car keys get handed in
upon arrival or that all kids sleep over in the family room. This
is much more responsible (and realistic) parenting than
dictating "no drinking" and then burying your head in the
sand.

12.  Have your party in a banquet hall. If you have the means,
forego the backyard braai and put the liability on someone
else. Because they are subject to the more severe "drama"
laws, owners of banquet facilities are fully aware of the
dangers of serving alcohol to minors or those who are
already intoxicated. They train their bartenders and security
people to be on the lookout for teens trying to drink on the
premises. Although you will pay for the privilege, shifting the
liability to someone else is a great idea.
 If you encounter resistance from your child about
implementing any of the above suggestions, it may be time
to seek professional advice about your teen. A rational, well-
adjusted child will appreciate the danger inherent in throwing
these backyard parties and will want to protect the family
from a potentially disastrous law suit. If they place the value
of a good time for their friends above all else, it may be a sign
of a bigger problem. Drug or alcohol use may already have
expanded beyond the experimental stage and be
influencing their decisions. If they cannot or will not see the
bigger picture, it's time to get help.

13.  Stop thinking of your children and their friends as either
"good" kids or "bad" kids. Good kids drink too! Most kids
experiment with alcohol and drugs, no matter what their
background, intelligence or level of responsibility. This, in and
of itself, does not make them "bad". It makes them "kids!"
Allowing for the possibility up front will save a lot of heartache
later on.