Should parents teach their children to drink ?

Question

David Cameron advocates parents teaching sensible drinking in the home.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jul/30/davidcameron.drugsandalcohol

What do you think, would it help?

Answer 1

WHAT THE h**l! h**l NO! Drinking is cursed and those who dont drink are obviously people that show pride in being European.

I remember a saying that if a kid reaches 21 years old, then it is almost certain that he/she will not drink in the future. IM 16 I LIVE IN AN AREA(ozzie) full of kids that started drinking when 12 and under and I dont drink AND NEVER WILL! SHOW YOUR PRIDE!

Drinking also damages brain cells - especially with kids whom are not yet fully developed until 21 (well 21 is my opinion but who I heard it from said 18 but as if)

The younger the kid drinks, the more addicted to alcohol that kid would get when he/she is an adult, please teach your child(ren) all the harmful effects of alcohol usage - it is pointless to drink. It is severly unwise and it takes your pride away...

Answer 2

Quite sensible really......Best to throw up at home on your first drink...no cleaning the taxi...lol

Answer 3

I grew up in Sicily where it was common to have a glass of wine with meals. From an early age I was given small amounts. I was only ever curious about drinking when I wasn't able to do it when I moved here. Drinking isnt a big problem in Sicily. Not to the same level as it is here tho that goes hand in hand with yob culture which is not prevelant in most other countries to the same degree.

Answer 4

Parents should slowly introduce alcohol to children, beginning when they become a teenager. Allowing children to drink some alcohol will allow them to get used to it and wont make it such a 'taboo' subject that will make them want to go behind your back and drink.

Answer 5

yeeeeeee, well kida, i believe that every should be able to make mistakes

Answer 6

It depends on whether or not the parents drink sensibly!

I drink very little - for two reasons.  One is that I don't like the taste of cheap wine and two is that my father was an alcoholic.  It filled me with horror - I hate being out of control like that.

It didn't work for my brothers though - all three drink too much.

Answer 7

possibly, my kids have champagne with us on the rare occassions that we have it ( well maybe not so rare i am a woman of considerable means lol ) and they have tasted many of our drinks, i think it takes the fascination away i've never been a big drinker myself and my husband enjoys the old glass of wine at the weekends. i think my girls will probably pick up some bad habit during their lifetime, men, drink, drugs, cigs, excessive food consumption i'm sure we've all done some of it at some point, it just depends wether they allow it to take over their lives to the extent that it harms their health. i hope not. xx

Answer 8

I think in some cases to could help, it others it wont make a blind bit of difference

I was allowed to occasional drink at home when I was younger, only on special occasions and my mum always watched me like a hawk

Then from the age of 17 till 19 I was pretty much drunk everyday

I remember Mondays were my days of rest where I wouldn't drink anything

I had a really c**p job and it was more than OK to turn up pissed at so that was never a problem

The majority of young people honestly don't see a problem with binge drinking

for some it just seems to be a part of growing up

Answer 9

I think it's a good idea. I always allowed my teenage children to have a drink on special occasions and I explained all about the effects to them so they realised why a glass was enough etc... they see it as a social activity rather than 'adult only'. Children respond much better and learn more when they are included and advised on what is sociable and what is unacceptable.

Answer 10

Yes I think it's a good idea.  Then it won't be such a big deal when they become teenagers going out on their own.

Answer 11

We did that with our three and apart from a very occassional blip they came through their teenage years very well. None of them drink to excess as they all have pets which need walkies first thing in the morning.

Answer 12

Well, it all depends whether the parents are responsible drinkers themselves.

Answer 13

This is fine, so long as the government advocates parents teaching sensible smoking as well!  It is a fact that drinking costs the NHS much more than smoking (alll those binge drinkers fighting etc).  As far as I am aware no one ever mowed anyone down in the car cos they'd smoked too many Marlboro.  Nor do people go home and beat their spouses because they smoked too much, people don't beat the c**p out of each other on a Saturday night cos they smoked too much either.  Drink is far more harmful than smoking yet we all laugh when we see a kiddy drinking from Daddy's pint glass.  How many people would find it funny if they saw that same kiddy having a quick puff on Daddy's B & H.

Answer 14

Yeah, because then by the time they`re Teenagers they`ll be brilliant at it..

Answer 15

As much as I hate to agree with David Cameron yes I think they should. My mum's side of the family is Mediterranean and growing up we were allowed small amounts of alcohol (usually wine with lemonade) with a meal whenever the family got together, which was most weekends. We were also allowed weak shandies and occasionally sangria in the summer. We all grew up with sensible attitudes towards drinking and didn't feel the need to go out and binge drink at the first opportunity.

Answer 16

well, the law allows children at the age of 5 (i think) to drink at home legally. If parents teach their kids responsible drinking then its a yes

Answer 17

If you love your children & want the best for them........

don't ever let them watch parents drink alcohol,

giving the impression it's a worthwhile pastime.

Alcohol is ANOTHER DRUG.

( One the Government ONLY legalised with the intention of raising money in taxes ).

AND wonder why they copy you, when before you know it, they have no respect for their parents, society, their health, their future or their peace-of-mind.

So I have to ask, do parents teach children to smoke?

yes, c**p ones do.....

Is that responsible behaviour for a parent?

course not!

so why teach them to drink, when they really, really don't need too?

I make no apologies for my dislike of alcohol it is an over-abused crutch that society needs to live without

decreasing domestic & child abuse, binge-drinking & the mess it leaves behind, unprovoked drunken attacks, drink-driving & the abuse of the NHS to patch up the innocent & the guilty, in equal measure, sadly etc etc.

That's what I think.

I 'm teetotal & a non-smoker,

guess it shows.

Answer 18

my parents did this with me. I was allowed to drink on new years a glass of champayne christmas and special occaisions. This way has worked great for me i do not really like alchol. When I do go out with my friends I do not get drunk I know my limit.

Answer 19

My first taste of alcohol was at home.  I didn't like it at 4 and I won't waste my money on it now.     In this high tech world , could we not legalize something  that would cause less depression  and domestic violence?

Answer 20

Yes, drinking is such a taboo subject just like s*x education.  If we teach our children a sensible way and be open to allow them to try things in the house under their roof with rules, then it may stop binge drinking.

Answer 21

Yes, they should! They should teach them what drinks are the worse to drink (that make you drunk quicker) I think They should educate their kids! My 16 yr old is worried their will never be a drink he will like! He hates fizzy drinks! He is worried that the thought of beer revolts him! I have told him what i think he may be able to drink! He has never come home drunk! He has been offered drink at home, but cant even swallow wine or beer! I will get him things that i think he may be able to drink, but i have and will continue to educate him !

Answer 22

Yes. Teenagers will always need to learn the hard way about how much alcohol they can take (head down the loo) but if at home they've learnt to enjoy a small amount of alcohol sensibly they will not (hopefully) go through the stage of drinking any old rubbish just because they can finally get hold of it.

Answer 23

that's how my parents thought me.