Lessons to my son at 21
The five deadly traps to watch for
I’m one of the lucky ones.
Statistics say where a lot of young black men end up. How they end up by age twenty-one. Never have I received a collect call from jail or the one no parent wants to hear.
Admittedly my son makes it easy.
The decision was made in high school to not curse and hold on to his V (virgin) card as long as possible, without encouragement.
At eighteen I wondered if things would change. When they didn’t the next hurdle came enrolling in college and being on his own under different influences. They didn’t.
The last and final hurdle; turning legal.
Parenting is a lifetime job. Despite him being grown, grown and standing strong on his principles, I’d be remiss to not school him on the distractions and traps of the real world.
Here’s my top 5:
Alcohol
From the corner and grocery stores to gas stations alcohol is abundant and cheap. $.99 shot bottles are conveniently placed at the counter and self checkout sections for last second pickup. Seems liquor companies want everyone tipsy. So I guess it should’ve been no surprise when stores like Family Dollar began selling alcohol.
