Behavior Contracts Must Be Applicable To All Students

Sat., Nov. 28, 1998

Matthew Weaver Special To Opinion

Some schools require that student athletes sign contracts prohibiting them from attending events where alcohol and/or drugs are present. The consequences of breaking the contract range from probation to removal from the team.

Should schools have the authority to limit players’ social lives? Shouldn’t there be enough trust in students making the right decisions without needing a contract? Then again, shouldn’t students be able to attend any party or function they wish and have enough respect for their teammates, their school and their bodies to refrain from using inappropriate, even illegal, substances?

Simply signing a contract is not going to keep everyone who wants to drink or use drugs from doing so. But in signing a contract, students are acknowledging that they understand there are consequences for their decisions. The contracts are good only if they cover consumption of alcohol or drug use and not just one’s appearance at a party where those activities are occurring. The presence of a few potential designated drivers is definitely preferred over allowing drunken partygoers to roam the streets, free to kill themselves or a few innocent people.

Still, the contracts’ effectiveness drew significant debate among the teen correspondents, who split 50-50 on whether such contracts work. Cases were cited in which cheerleaders, starting players and student body presidents were seen drunk or high but went unpunished because of their position. By not punishing individuals, schools send the message that it’s OK to break the contracts. To be at all effective, contracts must be enforced uniformly. It shouldn’t matter whether a person is the student body president or the biggest dweeb in school; both should be punished equally if they violate the contracts.

And, athletes shouldn’t be the only targets of the contracts. Shouldn’t members of band, newspaper, drama, chess club or any other school-based group be expected to have the same respect for their classmates and school? It is an embarrassment and disappointment for anybody who puts energy into an activity to see a peer throw it all away just to party. If they want to participate, they should quit drinking or doing drugs, at least for the duration of their involvement.

Matthew Weaver is a senior at Rogers High school.

About Teen Views The Spokesman-Review’s Our Generation Advisory Board meets monthly, debating a topic of interest to teens. One member then writes a commentary on the topic, which appears on the Opinion page.

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