Dangers of Teen Binge Drinking in Mexico
Family Vacations Need to Include Plenty of Guidance
May 18, 2009
"Welcome to Cancun – The New Party Center of the World" proclaims the sign hanging in the main terminal in the Cancun International Airport. Families arriving with teenagers need to keep an eye on what the party includes.
While Mexico remains a top value in family vacation choices, parents need to be aware of the dangers and temptations lying just outside of the hotel room. Other countries sharing the shores of the Caribbean Sea are just as dangerous and parents need a plan before releasing older teens out of their sight.
Binge Drinking Perhaps the Biggest Threat
Binge drinking among teenagers, even younger teens, remains a problem in foreign countries while Americans are on vacation. The United States Department of State fact sheet for Mexico, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and other Caribbean nations warn alcohol as being prevalent in arrests of underage American citizens.
For example, in cities along the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum rarely enforce drinking ages, and when they do, it is 18 years of age rather than 21. It is a common practice for teenagers to leave their resorts to "sightsee" and end up in bar venues offering All-You-Can-Drink specials.
One has to only look at the Internet for websites focusing on the ease of drinking in Mexico. Phrases like "drink all you can" and "don't worry about your ID" perk the interests of teens looking to have the party of their lives while on vacation.
Once intoxicated, teenagers lose even a tenuous grasp on good decision making. Teens accepting rides from strangers or wandering into the parts of cities most often off limits to tourists end up in U.S. headlines and leave families broken.
Parents Still Have to Parent Even on Vacation
Even though parents are in vacation mode, parenting skills need to stay sharp. Here are seven tips to keep your teen in check:
- Make check-in times frequent and mandatory. If cell phone service is not available, use walkie talkies.
- Talk with the resort management and make values very clear to bartenders on the property.
- If teenagers are allowed to go out at night alone, make certain the resort sends a guide.
- Mocktails and dancing are great activities offered by many resorts.
- Keep the focus on family time. Make it a point to have all family members gather for breakfast and dinner.
- Participate in educational tours, recreational outings and non-drinking related activities.
- Talk with teenagers before leaving and explain the home rules apply regardless of where the family happens to be.
Vacations should be a source of joy and relaxation for all family members. Parents simply need to remember to apply the rules from home regardless of the destination. Remember, the temptations to indulge exist everywhere in tourist destinations and different value systems exist. The dangers of the hosting city can be quelled by a parent's due diligence.
 |
