The other day in sociology we were discussing deviance. It's our current chapter. As we discussed different theories, the subject of alcohol consumption came up. No big deal, but boy did I find out something that naive old Bonnie didn't expect to discover.
I asked my students how many had seen a parent drunk. So many hands raised that I switched the question to, "How many of you have never seen a parent drunk?" Four kids raised their hands.
Huh???
I didn't expect that number to be so high. I am not saying it's wrong, but I guess it's not something that I would want my children to see. I haven't seen Wayne or Jeanne drunk. Jeanne gets a little giggly after a glass of beer, but I don't count that as drunk.
I found it odd to be in the minority on this one....
I guess you learn new things each day huh?
11 comments:
I have never seen my parents drunk either. Now I may see my mom a little tipsy, but that it about it.
I've seen my dad a bit "happy" lets say... but drunk? Never. And Rick's parents, have never even touched alcohol... ever. We took the kids with us to 1 adult/kids party where there was alcohol. Without putting the two together yet, Nolan did comment on how some of the adults sure laughed and acted "silly" a lot...
Yikes...that's kind of sad!
So have your kids EVER seen you drunk?
Also, it'd be interesting to know the context in which the kids have seen their parents drunk - like just sitting at home by themselves, or at a wedding or something?
Watching Oprah a few weeks back they did a whole show on drunk driving Moms and a couple of accidents that were deadly because the Mom was driving the kids around while she was drunk. I thought it was interesting that the 10-year-olds didn't think she was drunk because she wasn't "falling down or anything."
I wish I could say I was in the minority too, but unfortunatley I got stuck with a drunken "parent".My sister had the kids over to visit my Dad last summer,and when they left Adam (who is 12) asked why grandpa was acting so funny. My sister bluntly said "cause he was drunk". Real nice!
-Stephanie
I'm guessing that drunk is very subjective in this case. Is seeing your parents a little tipsy at a wedding or new years celebration with family drunk? To some it might be.
~R
Hi naive!! :)
To answer a few questions...no my kids have never seen either Thad or me drunk. It's not that I avoid drinking around my kids, but most of the time if we get together with friends and have a bonfire, it's after the kids are in bed. I only have a drink or two. Thad isn't one to have too much either. Believe me, he likes to have a good time, but my guess is he also feels that there is a time and a place.
This came up through hockey. I have a colleague from another district through a grant I am in tell me about how hockey parents use their kids' tournaments to party. I asked my students and they were like, "Oh yeah. It's wild." Obviously not all are like that, but it surprised me.
My guess if that many kids have seen it, they have been situations where there is a different atmosphere than just sitting at home. These are high school kids. They aren't Pollyannas so I am sure they know the difference.
Steph--I never once noticed your dad drunk. You (and your family) was a huge part of my life. I still reflect on that, because I was clueless.
Bonnie, I love this post. This is an issue where you and I are totally on the same page. Sometimes I'm way more naive than anyone else i know, but in this case we've had the same experience. I'm really surprised at the results of your class poll, too.
Have you ever been drunk Bonnie? I just can't see it!
Stephanie
That's it Mrs. Naive, I'm getting you hammered in July!
~R
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