TimmyH
Solve binge drinking - have a beer with your kid
July 8th 2008 01:22
Underage drinking with parents has been a long established practice in many Australian households. But is it a good idea? While introducing your child to drinking at a young age can be a good way to mature them to drinking life, letting a child abuse alcohol in the presence of their parents just encourages the practice.
By the same token, in strict households where alcohol is banned and painted as a gateway drug, kids often become heavy binge drinkers after realising that alcohol has no immediate spiralling effects.
Recent data has suggested that although the number of children who drink has not increased substantially, a greater proportion of young people are now heavy drinkers. While most parents say that they oppose drinking by those under 18, many unofficially say that kids will be kids. Many of them are in fact buying alcohol for their children in an attempt to regulate their drinking habits.
The solution should not be simply allowing your kids to drink. It should be introducing them to alcohol, with you. Interestingly, producing more drinkers in total might have the simultaneous effect of creating less problem drinkers. The key to solving the binge drinking problem in Australia might well be found in a European solution.
In European countries, alcohol is a part of family life to a large extent. Children are introduced to beer, wine and schnapps in a family setting without a chance of them abusing the substance. This may be the best way to curb the binge-drinking epidemic.
Creating an atmosphere where alcohol is constantly or at least regularly present with dinner or a Sunday lunch is key to developing healthy relationships with alcohol. Banning its use completely or encouraging over-consumption upon first introduction as a deterrent is likely to produce negative effects in later life.
By the same token, in strict households where alcohol is banned and painted as a gateway drug, kids often become heavy binge drinkers after realising that alcohol has no immediate spiralling effects.
Recent data has suggested that although the number of children who drink has not increased substantially, a greater proportion of young people are now heavy drinkers. While most parents say that they oppose drinking by those under 18, many unofficially say that kids will be kids. Many of them are in fact buying alcohol for their children in an attempt to regulate their drinking habits.
The solution should not be simply allowing your kids to drink. It should be introducing them to alcohol, with you. Interestingly, producing more drinkers in total might have the simultaneous effect of creating less problem drinkers. The key to solving the binge drinking problem in Australia might well be found in a European solution.
In European countries, alcohol is a part of family life to a large extent. Children are introduced to beer, wine and schnapps in a family setting without a chance of them abusing the substance. This may be the best way to curb the binge-drinking epidemic.
Creating an atmosphere where alcohol is constantly or at least regularly present with dinner or a Sunday lunch is key to developing healthy relationships with alcohol. Banning its use completely or encouraging over-consumption upon first introduction as a deterrent is likely to produce negative effects in later life.
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