As someone who went to Ibiza in her late teens/early 20s many times (along with droves of my fellow British young adults), all I can say is he’s picked the best party island in the world. He’s going to have a great time. Let him be an adult and make some cracking memories. It’s the most fun he’ll ever have. |
You do nothing. If he can self fund it, he can go. Hope he has a good time! |
Fine print says ages 15-18. Id be interested to see a map for ages 19-23. Because that’s when US kids get black out drunk compared to other counties where the kids get it out of their systems earlier. IMO, in the US, binge drinking happens with young adults as opposed to school aged teens living at home and is more likely, IMO, to lead to young adults turning drinking into a main part of their social lives as adults |
We were there last summer, there’s definitely a drug scene but that can be anywhere you have lots of young people partying. I don’t do drugs and never witnessed any drug use firsthand beyond weed. |
I would warn him against balconing (jumping off a balcony/roof into a swimming pool) and cliff jumping. It's so dangerous and yet a lot of young male tourists do it in Spain, esp. in the Balearics and there are deaths every year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balconing Tell him no bull fighting / running with the bulls either. I know, I know, you think I am joking, but American tourists (all young men) get gored practically every year. Also emphasize the importance of sunscreen, Spanish sun is not joke and you can get very badly burned in only a few hours. |
Tell him to keep his money in his shoe, hide his passport, and never leave his drink unattended. Then tell him to enjoy the trip!
It's his money, and he's an adult. |
OP, you are the parent and can try to pull rank if you want. But... do you think that is the best way to communicate with your kid? What do you think that will do to your relationship? If you have VALID reasons for your disapproval, then you need to discuss them with your kid. Does he have past substance abuse issues? Ibiza may not be good for a kid in recovery. If your concerns are more general, then lay those out and see what he has to say. At some point, we have to trust our kids to do the right thing, or at the very minimum take ownership for their mistakes and try to rectify them. This is a great opportunity for him to learn about how to keep himself safe while traveling and having fun - basics like never taking a drink from a stranger or leaving your drink unattended, keep your valuables either close to your body or someplace safe, walk in groups and in well-lit places, don't take drugs from strangers (or anyone, really), don't break laws... |
He could be in the military serving his country at 19.
Cut the apron strings. |
100% this |
Wiill you be my parent? That kind of of indulgence was never a part of my universe. |
umm, that was supposed to happen at 12 |
I've partied in Ibiza many times, as recently as a year ago. The party scene has gone more upscale over the years. If he wants to hit the big clubs, they are 50+ euro to get in and then even a water will run 10 euro. But plenty of Europeans (especially Brits) around that age go there. There are parts of Ibiza that cater to the lower-end crowd, like San Antonio de Portmany, with all the bars offering 2 for 1 drink specials and the like. He'll be a hit with the British lasses because of his American accent -- not many Americans go there.
Tell him not to buy any drugs from the guys on the street -- it's fake or worse. Also there are pickpockets, especially at the packed bars, so keep a backup credit card at the room and don't carry your passport (in the rare case they check ID, a driver's license will usually be OK). |
Once he sleeps with a few European girls he will never want to have anything to do with American girls again |
That is so inaccurate. Dcum male posters never fail to astonish me with their retrograde views on female sexuality- dilettantes. |
My 22 y.o. daughter went there along and then with 3 girlfriends, they had so much fun! |