You, your child and alcohol
Children are influenced by many different factors – their friends, their teachers, TV, films the media etc. However, in most cases, parents have the biggest influence on their children’s behaviour and this includes how the children approach alcohol.
Several scientific and social studies have found that children of parents who set a positive example and take an active approach towards the subject of alcohol are more likely to develop a sensible attitude towards it*. That means that parents need to address the issue with their children, discussing the issues and perhaps agreeing some rules that the family will stick to.
For example, an investigation into substance abuse among young people found that when parental monitoring is in place, they are much less likely to begin using drugs.**
Another report reached a similar conclusion, and also found that in 30 out of 31 countries surveyed young people consumed significantly more alcohol when their parents did not know how they spent Saturday nights.***
The resources on this site will help you to communicate with your child about alcohol and make the most of the influence over them that you have.
*Lowe G., Foxcroft D.R. and Sibley D. Adolescent drinking and family life. Harwood Academic Publishers, 1993, 175 p.
Clark D. B., Thatcher D. L. and Maisto S. A. ‘Supervisory neglect and adolescent alcohol use disorders: Effects on AUD onset and treatment outcome’, Addictive Behaviors, 2005, vol. 30, n° 9, p. 1737-1750.
** Mann, A. (2003). Relationships matter: Impact of parental, peer factors on teen, young adult substance use. NIDA Notes, 18(2), August 2003.
*** The ESPAD Report 2003 p. 197
