The HullaBoard - View Single Post - Alas..... but hurray for a good party while it lasted :)

I've been giving this whole issue some thought and I wanted to weigh in. First, the age issue.

Occasionally, we have young kids come to our parties. (By young I'd say anyone under 16). This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I was 15 when I started partying and I have never done E at a party, and didn't attend a party on drugs (pot) until I was 18. Some kids are responsible.

With that said, I'd still be thrilled to not have anyone under 16. This is mainly for the reason that kids below that age usually don't have their parent's permission. There have been parties where parents have shown up at the front door and I've walked with them through the venue, helping them find their kids so they can take them home. We don't want that kind of trouble; we don't want the reputation of "evil child-luring rave". That's not who we are and not who we want to be.

This is why we put "16+ recommended" on our flyers. I feel strongly about not checking ID for a few significant reasons, though. The most important, to me, is that the rave scene is about being inclusive. If we start saying that only people Age X and over can attend, we begin excluding people. There is no unity and no respect inherent in excluding people.

The vast, vast majority of our ravers are over 16, and most are over 19. Occasionally we get someone younger. Occasionally this causes a problem. But I don't believe that an occasional problem is worth excluding an entire group of people.

Now, as for the parents:

Yes, parents have some responsibility here. But we all have been kids and we all know that kids will be kids. Sometimes they sneak out and sometimes they do things they're not supposed to. A parent can't watch their kids 24 hours a day and sometimes these things happen. I don't think it automatically means that a parent isn't a good parent if their kid sneaks away and does something that isn't allowed.

I'm glad they showed up and took their kids. We don't need children at our parties acting irresponsibly, any more than we need adults at our parties acting irresponsibly.

December 23rd, 2002, 11:02 PM	#90
Mrs Frolic Administrator Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Toronto	I've been giving this whole issue some thought and I wanted to weigh in. First, the age issue. Occasionally, we have young kids come to our parties. (By young I'd say anyone under 16). This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I was 15 when I started partying and I have never done E at a party, and didn't attend a party on drugs (pot) until I was 18. Some kids are responsible. With that said, I'd still be thrilled to not have anyone under 16. This is mainly for the reason that kids below that age usually don't have their parent's permission. There have been parties where parents have shown up at the front door and I've walked with them through the venue, helping them find their kids so they can take them home. We don't want that kind of trouble; we don't want the reputation of "evil child-luring rave". That's not who we are and not who we want to be. This is why we put "16+ recommended" on our flyers. I feel strongly about not checking ID for a few significant reasons, though. The most important, to me, is that the rave scene is about being inclusive. If we start saying that only people Age X and over can attend, we begin excluding people. There is no unity and no respect inherent in excluding people. The vast, vast majority of our ravers are over 16, and most are over 19. Occasionally we get someone younger. Occasionally this causes a problem. But I don't believe that an occasional problem is worth excluding an entire group of people. Now, as for the parents: Yes, parents have some responsibility here. But we all have been kids and we all know that kids will be kids. Sometimes they sneak out and sometimes they do things they're not supposed to. A parent can't watch their kids 24 hours a day and sometimes these things happen. I don't think it automatically means that a parent isn't a good parent if their kid sneaks away and does something that isn't allowed. I'm glad they showed up and took their kids. We don't need children at our parties acting irresponsibly, any more than we need adults at our parties acting irresponsibly.