Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign surveyed 561 middle school students on talks they had had with their parents about drinking, smoking and marijuana. They found that the kids were less likely to think drugs were bad if their parents had shared stories of past substance use with them. Kids whose parents simply drove home an anti-drug message without revealing their own indiscretions were more likely to avoid them.
So does this mean you should blatantly lie to your kids?
"We are not recommending that parents lie to their early adolescent children about their own past drug use," the study’s lead author Jennifer Kam, an assistant professor of communication, told Huff/Post50. "Instead, we are suggesting that parents should focus on talking to their kids about the negative consequences of drug use, how to avoid offers, family rules against use, that they disapprove of use, and others who have gotten in trouble from using.
Note the use of the qualifier "blatantly." I guess "partially" is a more accurate term. Because Christ forbid drug use across the board not be characterized as "bad." Oh, except the ones we've made legal due to arbitrary bullshit which cause more ODs than the illegal kind. Other than that, though, yeah, all totally evil. Except that one time in the '20s we tried Prohibition. That was an honest mistake.
Why is a professor of communications dispensing advice on this topic?
Edited By Malcolm on 1361639475
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
As long as people insist on the completely and obviously bullshit "all drugs are equally bad all the time" message, no kids with half a brain are going to take them seriously. Clearly some drugs are worse than others. Clearly some drugs have more positive effects than others. An open and honest discussion about the merits and consequences of drugs will get some respect and can possibly help educate some kids enough to make better decisions. The one-size-fits-all authoritarian bullshit message can only work on the stupid kids, and probably not very many of them.
"ATTENTION: Customers browsing porn must hold magazines with both hands at all times!"
My wife and I decided that my wife would have to have the drugs talk with the kids whenever that happens. I'd have to be all "No, drugs are fine - but do NOT watch The Wall on LSD. Or listen to Eleanor Rigby high"
One general rule is no hallucinogens if you're going to watch a David Lynch movie.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."