Boys Gone Wild
Those pampered, entitled, adultolescent college students are at it again! According to a new study reported in the Times, “When male students enrolled in four-year universities, levels of drinking, property theft and unstructured socializing with friends increased and surpassed rates for their less-educated male peers.” Oh no, not unstructured socializing! The culprit: not having to “grow up” quickly enough. “College delays entry into adult roles like marriage, parenting and full-time work.”
And of course, the title is “College Students Behaving Badly,” even though the results apply only to men. If the research had shown that only women students commit more criminal acts, one can imagine the ensuing “Co-eds Gone Wild” headlines.
A commenter points out that the Times often publishes stories “glorifying the fun and excitement of being in one’s atmosphere and enjoying times with good company” when it involves chic middle-aged Hamptonites in their newly remodeled kitchens. “But when undergraduates engage in a little bit of fun it’s suddenly socially deviant behavior?” Blog writer Tara Parker-Pope responds hilariously, “A dinner party with friends is structured socializing. That’s very different from the ‘hanging out’ culture of many college frat boys.” Not if you’re a dinner party animal!