Teenagers enjoy a drink
Although an ever increasing problem amongst young people in Britain, Alcohol is at the bottom of many parents’ priorities list.
Figures recently released show that only one quarter of parents talk to their children about the risks associated with alcohol even though more highly prioritised issues, such as pregnancy and drug abuse, are often drink-fueled consequences.
However, the question over what type of stance parents should take when it comes to alcohol has always been a cause for debate, with many parents unsure of what to do for the best.
Reports released at the end of last year suggested that parents who bought their children alcohol were ‘fuelling binge drinking,’ whereas information released two months before stated that parents who gave their children a set ‘alcohol allowance’ could help decrease the chance of binge drinking.
These conflicting interests could be a possible reason why parents aren’t talking to their children about the possible effects of alcohol. Or is the matter just general ignorance.
Advice from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) states that children should always be made aware of alcohol and its possible effects, while the link between the two should be made clear from an early age.
The CMO also states that if 15 - 17 year-olds drink alcohol, it should always be done so under the supervision of parents or carers, but for any parent of teenagers, this can be almost impossible.
If parents do decide to supervise parties involving alcohol for example, whose responsibility is it if it all goes horribly wrong? And more often than not parents who allow and condone parties with alcohol on their premises are often frowned upon by other parents, who may have different morals or views.
But if you choose to leave twenty 15-year-olds alone with even a limited or ‘set amount’ of alcohol, the end result will probably still leave people questioning who is responsible and questioning your judgment.
Or what about the idea of ‘wine weaning?’ The assumption that introducing children to alcohol at an early age encourages sensible drinking and mirrors the continental ethos that wine is like water.
But described recently as a "middle class myth," it seems yet again parents are being left confused.
The point is, unlike other heavily marketed issues, such as teenage pregnancy, STIs and drug abuse, with alcohol, there is no definitive answer.
For example with teenage pregnancy and STIs the simple message is ‘use a condom,’ but with regards to children and alcohol, although the legal drinking age is 18, there is a mixed bag of advice.
A campaign launched this month by children’s secretary Ed Balls attempts to show parents how vulnerable drinking alcohol can make children and young people.
Perhaps it will encourage the 75 percent of parents, who are yet to bring up the subject of alcohol with their children, to start a conversation. Or maybe it will confuse the 25 percent who already talk about the subject
Whatever the outcome, one thing’s for sure, children and alcohol don’t mix well.
Female First
Georgina Farrer
Tagged in Alcohol