Find the article here:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/simon-crisp/2008/03/09/1204998279214.html----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kids party, parents get a hangover
Growing up as a teenager in the modern day world is substantially different to life 30 years ago. With growing technology and dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse, it is no wonder that Dr Simon Crisp saw it necessary to publish the article “Kids party, parents get a hangover” in The Age newspaper. Crisp formally contends that parents are losing control over their teenage children and it is this that is causing the increased prevalence of destructive behaviours among these children. The eye is instantly drawn to the salient cartoon which encapsulates Crisp’s main contention and helps the target audience of parents identify with Crisp’s arguments. Further, Crisp uses numerous appeals to persuade his audience and urge them to see the problems surrounding teenagers in our modern day society. Ultimately, Crisp portrays alcohol abuse, the modern teenager and parents in such a way that leads readers to take a proactive step in protecting the youngsters of today.
Crisp opens his article with a direct statement stating that “it is no secret that parents are losing their authority over their teenage children”. This comment instantly positions parents reading this article to either relate to the issues presented or sympathize with other parent who may be dealing with the problem of controlling their teenagers. It is in this way that Crisp portrays the role of parents in today’s society. Throughout the article, Crisp draws on examples to show the change in the role of the parent today as opposed to a parent in previous generations. While discussing that it is left to “nightclub owners to offer day-time ‘clubbing’ to teenagers” Crisp leads the reader to view the role of parents as essential, even if currently parents are losing control of our children. Crisp urges his target audience to ask themselves whether they would want their children being “groomed for the not-too-distant future” to go “clubbing” at night. Any responsible parent would answer no. It is thus that Crisp portrays the essential role that parents have in raising their teenage children. This is also encapsulated in Andrew Dyson’s cartoon depicting a mother trying to drag her son out of a presumably alcoholic bottle. The cartoon allows readers to place themselves in the position of the mother, trying to steer their children in the right direction and help them living safe and fulfilling lives. The image sends a clear message that parents are losing control of their teenage children but, coupled with Crisp’s article, illustrates that in order to protect the younger generation, parents need to regain their authority over their children.
Furthermore, Crisp portrays the effects of alcohol in a way that positions readers to scorn upon the influence that alcohol has on teenage children. Having shown the disadvantages of alcohol as a “poison”, Crisp briefly mentions the positive effects of alcohol but dismisses them immediately as being ungrounded. By using expressions such as “neuro-toxin” and “disables the control centre of the brain” Crisp leads even those with no scientific background to condemn the presence of alcohol in our society, especially its use by teenage children. The use of complicated scientific words also adds credibility to Crisp’s argument, highlighting the fact that the author is in fact a doctor specializing in adolescent psychology. Even with no understanding of the sophisticated language used, parents are immediately positioned to fear the “sometimes deadly” effects that alcohol can have on an innocent teenager. Alcohol’s influence on society is dismissed as being solely negative, without so much as a consideration as to the possible positive effects that teenagers may glean from drinking alcohol. It is thus that alcohol is portrayed as a deadly substance that risks the lives of teenage children in our society. Readers are immediately drawn to side with Crisp since his credentials appear to be creditable and his statements send shockwaves of fear through every parent.
Moreover, the modern day teenager is portrayed as being a young hooligan with no self-control and no sense of responsibility. This stereotype is emphasized throughout the entire article. By the article’s conclusion, even parents who consider their children to be level-headed may begin to question whether their children are partaking in the dangerous acts Crisp constantly discusses. Further, Crisp portrays teenagers as being “innocent” and “prone to chaos”. These descriptions, coupled with the idea of a teenage hooligan placed in the mind of the audience, appeals to parents desires to look after their children and give them a stable upbringing. Crisp leads parents to believe that their children are simply innocent individuals who need their parents’ guiding to steer clear from dangers. No consideration is placed on the majority of teenagers who study hard, drink only in moderation and are generally responsible. In order to convince parents of his argument, Crisp only focuses on a small minority of teenagers who, without the constant guidance of their parents, will fall off the proverbial bandwagon and lead lives of chaos. Additionally, Crisp implies that teenagers should not be given any control since this will only allow them to “enter dangerous territory.” This extreme statement, making parents feel as if they will soon be “removed of all power,” emphasizes the image of the rebellious teenager that Crisp had already explored earlier in his piece. It is thus teenagers are portrayed as individuals who are irresponsible and should not be given any independence.
Finally, a number of appeals used throughout his article add a final element of persuasion to Crisp’s piece. First and foremost, Crisp appeals to parents’ desire to keep their children safe, playing on the fact that at the slightest hint that there may be a threat to their children, parents will immediately act out against it. Crisp achieves this by discussing “norms and expectations of every family” showing parents how alcohol use and communication technology are going to destroy the “core values” you would expect would be upheld in every family and ultimately destroy their children’s lives. Furthermore, Crisp appeals to parents’ sense of fear continually using emotive words such as “vulnerable”, “predators” and “deadly” to position readers to fear the effects that alcohol may have on their children’s lives and lead parents to side with him in his argument.
Crisp concludes his article with a plea to parents to stand together in order to help make teenagers feel safe and “reassure them that adults have got their act together.” This final appeal summarizes Crisp’s main contention put forth at the beginning of the article. Ultimately, by using an array for emotive language and a number of well-placed appeals, Crisp persuades his audience to stand by him in his attempt to clarify the boundaries that should be set for youths in our society.
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