I actually did NOT allow my DS (now 18) to go to teen clubs. At this point, I can't stop him from going to 18+ clubs (where 21+ are there and drinking), which scares me even worse, but based on what I've seen and been told, they're very stringent about not allowing underage drinking (I guess it's part of the deal of allowing underage people into an alcoholic establishment - you'd better make DARN sure none of the 18-20 year olds are drinking, or you get your license pulled). In fact, a club in New York is being closed down for underage drinking.
As for the teen clubs, the ones in my area tended to be very wild - to the point of violence and shootings - so I never allowed my children to go.
I guess it depends on where you live, the age of your teen, and the type of club. But I stayed away from them.
If you mean youth clubs or those local band forums at the Knights of Columbus to raise money for a worthy cause, then yes, I allow that.
However, if you're talking about disco/dance clubs in the city, then no, I've never allowed that. My 19dd never went to a dance club until she was away at college. She asked me when she was 17 and I told her not until she was 18 - she never went until she was 19!!
And dd17 has no desire at this time. She goes to see local rock bands and coffee open mike sessions locally. She went to a concert club last Fall and fainted from the crowds. It was just too much for her.
What I don't like about those clubs is that they allow people over 18 to enter as well as those under - the kids who are under 21 can't drink, but there are people in there who ARE drinking. Not the kind of environment I want my kids in. If they made the ages say from 15 - 19, then I might consider it. Otherwise no.
I used to be borderline on the issue but then I saw an expose on a TV programme where they sent young women, dressed as teens, with hidden cameras into a set of teen dance clubs over a few weekends in a month. They went to the same clubs for a few events to see what went on.
They filmed teens engaged in open sexual activity (ie sex acts being carried out on couches and corners in full view), teens who were visibly drunk or high, adult workers at the club making sexual advances to young women, girls dressed in highly sexualized outfits, sexualized contests like wet tshirt etc... etc... etc... And the young women purposely went on different nights to ensure they weren't just there on a bad night.
The problem is whenever you have a charged environment where adult promoters are there to make money, not in the best interests of your kids, there is huge risk and opportunity for abuse and manipulation. Even if your kid is not one of the people engaging in taking drugs or sexual activity, they are still being exposed to it and associating and meeting people who embrace that lifestyle. And you have to decide for yourself whether that's the type of place you want your kids to be given their age and level of maturity and their ability to withstand the peer pressure they will face to join in.
Personally my dd isn't going NEAR our local teen dance club. She is only allowed to go to supervised school dances, church-sponsored or friend and family events until she is old enough (I'd say 19 or over) to deal with the pressures of that type of environment.
I must have seen this exact same tv show. I was horrified at what these scum adults were promoting. Up until seeing that show, I would have at least considered it after my checking it out, but now I feel differently. Nope, we won't be going and I only wish I could recall what show that was so other parents could maybe see it online or something.
I know this programme is a bit sensationalist but they showed the video and interviewed the young women who went to the clubs and I saw and heard first hand accounts. It also ties in with stories I've heard by kids in my area about what goes on at the clubs they attend.
My kids are only allowed to go to those clubs after they turn 18. I don't know if it's just here, but they tend to be druggie gathering places. Most of the underage kids who have involved parents here hang out at the bowling alley, which is also a resteraunt, has a couple of pool tables, dart boards, and tables set up for playing cards. Because it is a multi-generational thing, things are pretty much kept under wraps, the owner supervises things pretty well, and the kids don't get into too much trouble there. We're in such a small town, if there's nothing going on at the high school there is nothing for kids to do, and nowhere for them to go. But the couple of teen clubs around are nothing but trouble IMHO. Rose
No. A few months ago, DD asked to go "clubbing" with two of her girlfriends at one of these places downtown. None of them had ever been to this place. They had heard about it from an advertisement. I was the only parent who said no. She gave me the usual "overprotective" huff. Considering the issue has never been brought up again, plus this activity is not included as part of the repertoire of activities among her circle, my guess is these two girls witnessed and experienced more than they bargained for. It seems some parents may be lured to a false sense of security simply because these places "serve no alcohol." Big deal. While I'm sure there are exceptions, if these places ran with zero tolerance for any monkey business, there would be no money in it.
The teen clubs here are good, but they are in bad areas. They are only for high school kids, so there is no alcohal in the establishment, which is good. My daughter went once and she did not really like it.
I did not allow my DD (now 18) to attend these clubs for two reasons:
1) I didn't trust the supervision that was supposed to be in place. 2) I didn't want her to develop the idea that "clubbing" on a regular basis was an okay lifestyle. I was concerned about the precedent that this would set and how it would relate to her activities when she was old enough to not need mom's permission.
I actually did NOT allow my DS (now 18) to go to teen clubs. At this point, I can't stop him from going to 18+ clubs (where 21+ are there and drinking), which scares me even worse, but based on what I've seen and been told, they're very stringent about not allowing underage drinking (I guess it's part of the deal of allowing underage people into an alcoholic establishment - you'd better make DARN sure none of the 18-20 year olds are drinking, or you get your license pulled). In fact, a club in New York is being closed down for underage drinking.
As for the teen clubs, the ones in my area tended to be very wild - to the point of violence and shootings - so I never allowed my children to go.
I guess it depends on where you live, the age of your teen, and the type of club. But I stayed away from them.
If you mean youth clubs or those local band forums at the Knights of Columbus to raise money for a worthy cause, then yes, I allow that.
However, if you're talking about disco/dance clubs in the city, then no, I've never allowed that. My 19dd never went to a dance club until she was away at college. She asked me when she was 17 and I told her not until she was 18 - she never went until she was 19!!
And dd17 has no desire at this time. She goes to see local rock bands and coffee open mike sessions locally. She went to a concert club last Fall and fainted from the crowds. It was just too much for her.
What I don't like about those clubs is that they allow people over 18 to enter as well as those under - the kids who are under 21 can't drink, but there are people in there who ARE drinking. Not the kind of environment I want my kids in. If they made the ages say from 15 - 19, then I might consider it. Otherwise no.
It would depend on the type of club.
I used to be borderline on the issue but then I saw an expose on a TV programme where they sent young women, dressed as teens, with hidden cameras into a set of teen dance clubs over a few weekends in a month. They went to the same clubs for a few events to see what went on.
They filmed teens engaged in open sexual activity (ie sex acts being carried out on couches and corners in full view), teens who were visibly drunk or high, adult workers at the club making sexual advances to young women, girls dressed in highly sexualized outfits, sexualized contests like wet tshirt etc... etc... etc... And the young women purposely went on different nights to ensure they weren't just there on a bad night.
The problem is whenever you have a charged environment where adult promoters are there to make money, not in the best interests of your kids, there is huge risk and opportunity for abuse and manipulation. Even if your kid is not one of the people engaging in taking drugs or sexual activity, they are still being exposed to it and associating and meeting people who embrace that lifestyle. And you have to decide for yourself whether that's the type of place you want your kids to be given their age and level of maturity and their ability to withstand the peer pressure they will face to join in.
Personally my dd isn't going NEAR our local teen dance club. She is only allowed to go to supervised school dances, church-sponsored or friend and family events until she is old enough (I'd say 19 or over) to deal with the pressures of that type of environment.
It was Inside Edition and here is a link to the text but there is no video on it.
http://www.insideedition.com/ourstories/reports/story.aspx?storyid=587
I know this programme is a bit sensationalist but they showed the video and interviewed the young women who went to the clubs and I saw and heard first hand accounts. It also ties in with stories I've heard by kids in my area about what goes on at the clubs they attend.
Rose
Considering the issue has never been brought up again, plus this activity is not included as part of the repertoire of activities among her circle, my guess is these two girls witnessed and experienced more than they bargained for.
It seems some parents may be lured to a false sense of security simply because these places "serve no alcohol." Big deal. While I'm sure there are exceptions, if these places ran with zero tolerance for any monkey business, there would be no money in it.
The teen clubs here are good, but they are in bad areas. They are only for high school kids, so there is no alcohal in the establishment, which is good. My daughter went once and she did not really like it.
Adelaide
I did not allow my DD (now 18) to attend these clubs for two reasons:
1) I didn't trust the supervision that was supposed to be in place.
2) I didn't want her to develop the idea that "clubbing" on a regular basis was an okay lifestyle. I was concerned about the precedent that this would set and how it would relate to her activities when she was old enough to not need mom's permission.