Is this the way it is now?

[Irulan]

No, it's not the way it is.

At least not for all teens. I have two teen boys, and we've been able to leave for a WEEK or more without parties and rampages. The neighbors will attest to this. The worst I've come home to is a week of dirty dishes and the trash not taken out. My sons have friends over for quiet entertainment ( movies, dungeons and dragons) while we are gone all the time. We live in a typical suburban neighborhood, so the neighbors would know if there's anything going on. Shoot, they can hear my kids practicing their music, they'd know about a party. I know a lot of really nice, great teens that make good choices, don't party and are accountable for their decisions.

If the cops down there are like ours, the force is thin and parties aren't on the priority list. If they are choosing not to enforce, well, that's really sad. Kids need to learn to be accountable, and that ultimately comes from parents and other adults in their lives.