Alternative Spring Break
It’s Spring Break time. The time when many college students and some high school students travel to warm destinations like Florida, Texas, California or Mexico to get their party on. What you see on MTV is actually watered down. The partying on Spring Break is often a lot worse. Many teens see it as a right of passage before they have to go live in the “real world.” It’s their time to be free and independent, away from their parents telling them what to do. Teens think it’s harmless fun, but many times it’s not. Spring Break is often filled with endless amounts of alcohol, illegal drugs and tons of sex…sometimes with strangers. Teens often get involved in risky behavior. They drink too much and do things they wouldn’t do if they were sober. There are thefts, vandalism, assaults and rapes. Pictures and videos may be taken and plastered all over the internet for families and future employers to see.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. More and more colleges are now promoting alternative spring breaks and kids seem to be pretty receptive to it. Instead of partying, kids are now spending their spring break helping their communities or the world. Some travel to the south to help rebuild homes ravaged by hurricanes. Or protest against injustices. Or stand up for what they believe such as cleaning up the environment. Some travel to foreign countries to help those less fortunate.
I have tried to stress the importance of charity and giving back to my kids. We have already had conversations about them experiencing the world. I plan to encourage my teens to consider alternative spring break options over the orgies that take place in the some areas of the country during spring break. Do some research with your kids and find out what interests them. I’m sure you can find a safe alternative to drunken parties for spring break this year.
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POSTED IN: Spring Break
2 opinions for Alternative Spring Break
Aurelia
Mar 16, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Great Topic. And perfect timing.
Ali
Mar 20, 2008 at 6:14 am
My daughter is always asking me if she can color the tips of her hair, say red or pink. So it’s not exactly the same as highlights, but sort of the same idea. She always asks, “why?”. Because you are 12! She already looks like she is 16 and has actually been offered wine in a liquor store last year. I feel that highlights make children look older than they do. There is a girl in her school that has been getting highlights since 2nd grade, and she looks ridiculous-even my daughter thinks so. But that could also be because they were done really bad. But I feel they make a young girl look older, which could send out the wrong message to the opposite sex.
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