Dear Reader:
“Fatherly Porn Advice,” the September Levitt Letter’s Note from Mark that was addressed primarily to young men, encouraged learning from guilt without buying into shame. Below are highlights of equally worthy fatherly advice; this one written by Ralph Strangis (play-by-play commentator for the Dallas Stars ice hockey team) to his daughter Savannah. The recent Dallas Morning News article is entitled, “I Trust You, But Not the College Guys.”
What worries me is the world of young college men, a largely brutal lot. Males between the ages of 18 and 25 are like walking stupid-bombs just waiting to go off at any moment. When I was in college, my brain was overrun by wild animals. My primary purpose was to get drunk and chase girls. Stuff happened, usually around 2 or 3 in the morning.
Victims shouldn’t be blamed for the crimes committed against them, but it’s still wise to do what you can to stay out of risky situations. College men don’t always conduct themselves with class and grace, so here’s my advice to Savannah:
Dear Savannah—
Try not to put yourself in bad situations. Try to always leave yourself outs. Try to always have a good friend with you.
Drinking isn’t going to do much for you. But if you do drink, don’t get wasted to the point of passing out. Especially if you’re at somebody else’s house. Especially if there are ANY college men in the vicinity.
Don’t drink anything anyone else has mixed for you. If you’re going to have a beer, you pop the top or cap yourself.
Wear a watch. The later it gets, the more alcohol is consumed, the greater the likelihood of something stupid or worse happening.
Be careful about whom you invite to your place. Men or women. It’s your home, and that’s a very special thing, and it’s only for your closest friends and family to see and visit.
Keep up with your martial arts. Carry Mace. Have your cellphone handy.
I love you, and I trust you, and I’m a phone call away. Oh and remember, I also have some experience getting on an airplane at a moment’s notice to come see you.
Ephesians 5:18 advises, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” And Ecclesiastes 4:10 espouses the buddy system. “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Young men can benefit from this wisdom just as young women should heed my priorNote’s pearls apropos steering clear of porn … and shame. “Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon Thee” (Psalm 31:17).
