Teenager's Parents Responsible for House Party Damage

After using her parents' credit card to rent a house to throw a wild party, a 14-year-old Canadian girl finds herself in big trouble – worth $20,000, in fact. This is the amount of damage caused by the teenagers and that her parents must now pay.

Last week, police responded to a call of an “uncontrolled party” at a West Vancouver neighborhood house, where nearly 200 teenagers were seen “inundated” once authorities arrived, according to CTV News. In their wake was a house with much destruction – walls, furniture and artwork, all of which her parents will be held responsible for.

According to the police report, the girl responsible for the event used her parents' credit card without their permission. But parents will still have to find a way to pay.

And while it may seem like a nightmare for any mom or dad, parents in the United States would not only be financially responsible, but likely criminally as well, thanks to the threat of welfare laws in many states.

There have been numerous cases of parents accused of hosting parties involving underage drinking. While in this particular case the parents were not present and the party was not even held at their house, their names were on the credit card used to pay for the rental of the house.

“Social harbor laws hold non-business individuals, including parents, property owners, and tenants, responsible for underage drinking events on properties they own, rent, or otherwise control. another way,” according to the Center for the Study of Law Policy and Enforcement, meaning guardians remain responsible whether or not they provide the alcohol. (Luckily for these parents, however, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against the social host liability law in the 2006 case of Childs v. Desomoreaux.)

However, legal issues aside, Canada's party disaster may provide a much-needed learning moment for teens who may be considering throwing their own out-of-control party.

“The first thing parents need to do is talk to their children. » Child and adolescent psychologist Barbara Greenberg tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “Approach it in a two-pronged way. Empathize with your child and align with them so they know you are on their side. Explain peer pressure and negative outcomes. Second, explain that this is our home that we have worked so hard to create and that as a family member you must also protect it and our resources.

It's also important to have adult supervision, she says, because having an adult present can help a teen escape inevitable peer pressure.

“You're actually helping your child by having an adult come to the house or a neighbor, because you're giving your child a way out,” Greenberg says. “Kids are really scared and they will secretly be grateful that you helped them,” especially with social media's ability to turn a seemingly innocent party into something beyond children's control.

As for what can be learned after a child makes the mistake of throwing a party that ends in financial disaster? Greenberg says the bottom line is that “young teens and unlimited credit cards are a dangerous recipe.”

“These parents should come up with a plan for the teenager to pay,” she said of the 14-year-old Canadian, adding that this extreme example should serve as a talking point for parents everywhere. “Show the article to your children and ask them what they think. They want to know that you appreciate what they are saying. They want to feel relevant and want to be heard.

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