Paul's POV: No mate, your kid’s formal is not an excuse for a booze up

 "It's one night, for a few hours. If we'd all acted like adults when we're 'on the job', we wouldn't need this ban."

Headlines last week of a ‘huge uproar’ after Catholic schools moved to ban ‘outside dates’ and parents drinking at formals struck a chord with me.

 

ICYMI, news.com.au said: “Dozens of students at Sydney’s Catholic high schools have been banned from taking a date to their year 12 formal under a new policy.

“Under the rules, which apply to the 147 systemic schools … parents will also be forbidden from drinking alcohol at end-of-year celebrations.”

Cue outrage from the adults.

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"I love a drink too, but time and place, mate." Image: Supplied

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"A huge uproar"

One school parent said: “Naturally, there was a huge uproar among parents about being treated like children.”

As a dad of teen twins, I have some strong thoughts on this.

Full disclosure: I skipped my own formal. The only one I can remember attending was as a ‘plus one’ at a nearby girls’ school - so I’d have to declare a mild interest on the first of the two new policies.

On the second one about parents drinking, I think I’m well-qualified to speak.

Like many GenXers, I passed the ‘experimental stage’ with alcohol well before I was 18.

After all, we came of age in an era when drivers’ licences were made of paper and could be passably altered with a typewriter and some Liquid Paper.

In the years since, while I’ve rarely drunk to excess, I’ve had many, many memorable experiences under the influence of alcohol.

But I’m always surprised when I hear about parents getting plastered at school events.

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"Act like adults"

One thing I wasn’t prepared for when my own kids went to school was the number of new friends my wife and I would make. Almost our entire circle of friends is now made up of people we’ve met because our kids went to school with theirs.

We’ve spent many nights together at the pub and elsewhere, sans-kids. Occasionally, one of us has had more than a few drinks and so what? We all live within walking distance, so driving isn’t an issue and everyone needs to let off steam once and a while.

But we’ve often commented on the fact some parents seem to see any event as an excuse for a proper booze up - even when they’ve got primary school-aged kids in tow - and that’s much more difficult to understand.

Yes, those parents are probably still keeping an eye on their kids and yes, it is possible to be overprotective but, to my way of thinking, if you’re looking after your kids, that’s your ‘job one’ and it’s increasingly hard to do after the first drink or two.

Which brings me back to the parents at school formals. I can only assume they are at these events to help supervise the kids (otherwise, why would any sane adult choose to go?) so I can understand the school wanting them to stay clear headed.

After all, it’s one night. There are 364 others a year to take that leave pass, right?

This isn’t about treating parents like children and policing their drinking, as some have said in the outcry.

At the risk of sounding like a Sky News commentor, it’s about reminding us to act like adults: because with power comes responsibility.

Originally published as Paul's POV: No mate, your kid’s formal is not an excuse for a booze up