This story illustrates the concept of enabling.

Enrico Diaz, who is 20 years old, had been arrested three times for driving while intoxicated. Enrico's father paid the lawyers' fees and the hefty fines, and appeared in court with his son each time it happened.

Mr. Diaz described Enrico's situation to his friend, Jorge. Jorge said, "I bet you're really worried about him." Mr. Diaz replied that he really wasn't as worried any more because he put a sleeping bag in the back of Enrico's car so when Enrico gets drunk he can "sleep it off" instead of driving around and getting stopped by the cops.

Jorge said, "Why didn't you tell Enrico to get help for his drinking so he wouldn't be getting drunk all the time?" Mr. Diaz was very embarrassed. He said, "I've been concentrating so much on keeping him out of trouble, I never thought about telling him to do something to stop getting drunk."