Thought you might find it interesting. :)

Basically, if the shoe fits, wear it. I read a book recently, Secret Society by Tom Dolby, that I felt was just blatantly having underage drinking with absolutely no repercussions and it bugged the hell out of me. The adults in the story even encouraged it. I just felt it was too far out of reality (or at least a reality I know). If the situation shows teens sneaking around and being stealthy, as they should be if they’re doing something they shouldn’t do, then I don’t mind because they’re not flaunting it and just aren’t around adults that don’t give a shit. But it’s all in the contest of the story. If it works, use it. No reason not to.

If every book has a huge consequence then there will be people who say now _that_ isn’t realistic. It depends on whose reading it. In the end, I think books should be written in whatever style it needs to be written in. If it works out there’s a consequence for a certain behavior, fine. If not, oh well.
Some characters go to parties, drink underage, etc and nothing happens to them. Some characters go to parties, drink underage, etc and something huge happens to them. Same thing in real life.

Some people find themselves dragging themselves into their own beds to sleep off a hangover…others people may find themselves nursing their hangover at the police station. Some parents would be beyond angry and would be planning to send their kid off to boarding school…other parents would shrug and say kids will be kids. Same with book characters.

I know people who fall into all these categories and I like to think my stories reflect all these perspectives and viewpoints. I do agree, however, that there are alot of books wherer illegal/underage activities happen. I, personally, would like to see “cleaner” books mainly because I’ve read so many of the above.

In the end, though, write the story the way you want. If you don’t feel comfortable writing a story where the character doesn’t feel the consequence then don’t write it that way (the good thing about books is that there’s audience for everything). :)

If a book is packaged and marketed for teen eyes, I believe drugs and sex should come with consequences.