43% teenagers drink to get drunk
66% teenagers think it is OK to get drunk occasionally
50% teenagers drink to relax*

What should parents say to their teenagers who want to drink before they turn 18 years old? Research would suggest that their response should be a resounding “not yet”. Rather than the very popular “it’s OK if you’re at home”.

Australian society is now seeing cases of children as young as 10 years old being admitted to hospital due to alcohol abuse. This is leading to a greater number of problems caused by drinking among young people.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, parents who allow their underage children to drink are putting their children’s futures at risk.

Cultural norms often come into play when parents decide to allow their teenagers to drink illegally at home. Parents also feel pressures from society and give into their children’s requests to drink, reasons for doing this may include:

  1. Parents might feel like hypocrites for enjoying a drink themselves while denying a drink to their kids.
  2. Parents want to be seen as “cool”.
  3. Alcohol co-dependency – this is very dangerous as it turns a child into a drinking partner.

* Haynes R, Kalic R, Griffiths P, Gunnell A, McGregor C. Australian School Student Alcohol and Drug Survey: Alcohol Report 2008 – Western Australian results. Drug and Alcohol Office Surveillance Report: Number 10. Perth: Drug and Alcohol Office; 2010.

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.