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Prevention Action Alliance
Have a Safe, Healthy Homecoming
Football games and homecoming court are part of nearly every teen’s
life. Teens enjoy spending time with their friends, getting involved in
school activities and sports, and maybe even a parade. Unfortunately,
football games and homecoming can also mean late nights, risky
situations for teens, and underage drinking.
Some adults will facilitate those risks for teens by providing them
with alcohol. Maybe they want to be cool parents or maybe they think
that providing the alcohol lets them manage other risks, but research
is clear that providing alcohol for young people is a mistake.
Parents like that are one of two reasons we created Parents Who Host
Lose The Most. Communities needed resources to send a clear,
unequivocal message: Providing alcohol for teens is unsafe, unhealthy,
and illegal. Since its creation, Parents Who Host Lose The Most has
helped communities in all 50 states and even in other countries. Those
communities are the other reason we created Parents Who Host. It’s why
we’ve offered it and other resources for more than 30 years.
Parent Tips for Homecoming
Discuss expectations about alcohol with your teen. Studies show that
teens are far less likely to drink if parents make a clear statement
that drinking alcohol is unacceptable.
Host an alcohol-free event. Provide your teen and their friends a safe and fun place to go after football games or homecoming.
Get to know your teen's friends and their parents. If you know your
teen is attending a party after Homecoming, contact the host's parents.
Don't be afraid to ask questions about alcohol in the house.
Offer to drive or get a limo for homecoming. Not only will you prevent
your teen from getting in the car with an intoxicated driver, but it
will also take away other risky behavior, including distracted driving.
Be available. Let your teen know that you are available by text or
phone call at any point in the night if they need to be picked up.
Practice Good Sportsmanship
The benefits of participating in sports are vast. Sports help build
character, boost self-confidence, strengthen perseverance, promote
discipline, enhance physical and emotional health, develop teamwork
skills, and promote healthy competition. Sports also provide children
with additional supervision and additional mentors to help guide them
as they grow, which is monumental. In fact, a study by Big Brothers Big
Sisters shows that youth are 52% less likely to skip school and 46%
less likely to use drugs when they have a caring adult mentor in their
lives. Sports also give young people a focus, and another reason to say
“no” to substance use and other risky behaviors.
As parents, we should recognize the importance of athletics, and show
appreciation for our team coaches and sports officials, who are most
likely out there not only because they enjoy the sport, but because
they care about our young people.
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