Youth and Alcohol

[Riotgear]

It was unrealistic to think they werent going to drink but i didnt want them flaunting it in our face.

Why is that?

Research is overwhelming that if you can keep a teen from alcohol until 19 their chances of becoming an alcoholic are drastically reduced.

Link?

[LuciferLynn]

When I was 18 and my sister was 16, my father and my stepmother sat us down and said "when we were young, the drinking age was 18. As far as we are concerned, it still is. You guys both hold jobs, pay your own bills and have proven that your both responsible, therefore, YOU may drink at home. Your friends may not drink here. If you ever need a ride because you're too drunk or your ride is, please call us. We will come to get you, no matter the time, no matter the circumstances, no lectures involved, no questions asked. If at any time you become irresponsible with this, you will no longer be allowed to drink at home and you will be monitored." As a result, my sister and I have never had a problem with drinking, we could take it or leave it. My brother was very immature and was not afforded the same "privelage", for lack of a better word. I would never serve alcohol to someone elses child, and I would be pissed to find someone had served my child. If my children prove they're responsible young adults, then we will discuss it. Until such a time, fuck no. They may not have a drop.

[username]

That's a pretty good approach, LL. At this rate, my kids probably won't get any till they're 30.

[Midwest Spy]

I can only speak from personal experience.

My dad ruled with an iron fist, so I didn't partake in anything (drinking, drugs, sex) until I left home at 18.

My 19 year old son definitely did all of those things, but fortunately came out of it okay.

I wouldn't give 12-16 year old kids any booze. Maybe 17 and older, if they were with me in a controlled environment, I'd give them a beer. Definitely not swimming in a raging river.

I should add here that I'm talking about giving ONLY my kids a beer at 17 or older. Not supplying booze for other kids.

[OnBendedKnee]

It was unrealistic to think they werent going to drink but i didnt want them flaunting it in our face.

Why is that?

Research is overwhelming that if you can keep a teen from alcohol until 19 their chances of becoming an alcoholic are drastically reduced.

Link?

Ah, come on now. Don't ruin her perfectly (yet flawed)argument by having to provide facts. Where's the fun in that?

[Riotgear]

You're right. Mums the word.

[pspence]

It was unrealistic to think they werent going to drink but i didnt want them flaunting it in our face.

Why is that?

Research is overwhelming that if you can keep a teen from alcohol until 19 their chances of becoming an alcoholic are drastically reduced.

Link?

a Health Educator @ a state university brought it up at a meeting I attended a couple of years ago. I became defensive when she discussed the studies that bore this out. (because i knew/suspected all 3 of mine probably had experimented with alcohol in Middle School and I had just blown it off as normal experimentation). The studies she mentioned also demonstrated that if a child starts experimenting with alcohol at age 13 or younger ...that that is a significant indication/red flag/warning that more substance abuse is in the child's future unless interventions are made.

she also said studies demonstrate that kids who smoke cigarettes are significantly more apt to have substance abuse issues later on. Lots of folks in the tobacco prevention field believe cigarettes are actually the "gateway" to drug use.

I don't know the links to this info but i could call her or could google.

[pspence]

some teens leaving a party where alcohol was served and subsequently wrapping their car around a tree.

Irresponsible hosting. I do a lot of entertaining & I would never let an adult get shitfaced and then leave. That's just dumb and for the hosts that do let that happen, they deserve to be sued.

Sometimes you can't tell. Some heavy drinkers/alcoholics can drink a ton and walk/talk normal. (remember the driver of Princess Diana's car that had like an alcohol content that could have killed a bear and all the tapes and interviews looked like he was 100% sober)

other alcoholics can drink a half glass and be shitfaced.

[Riotgear]

Nonsense. Sorry.

[pspence]

this chick was talking about kids who start drinking alcohol at age 13 blah blah blah...she's not talking about a kid like yours that lives in a healthy environment where the dad says, hey son drink all you want here at home blah blah...i'm talking about troubled kids...another words, that it is a symptom a kid could be heading for trouble if you find them drinking on a consistent basis at such a young age...

plus there is scientific evidence of what alcohol use does physically to a brain that's still developing during their teens. i'm just saying i would have taken it a lot more seriously than i did then. glad it's over, been there, checked that box. when mine now come over (in their late 20's/early 30's) for dinners/cook outs/whatever, the first thing my husband and i do is offer them a beer or a glass of wine...none of them seem to have any alcohol issues, hopefully we may have dodged a bullet.

[Riotgear]

If only I hadn't smoked those Marlboros I wouldn't have this nasty heroin habit.

[pspence]

If only I hadn't smoked those Marlboros I wouldn't have this nasty heroin habit.

bp's never lead to titty clamps.

[OnBendedKnee]

If only I hadn't smoked those Marlboros I wouldn't have this nasty heroin habit.

TRIVIA:
Heroin is the only narcotic that is instantly addicting. Meth and other drugs require some use- not much, but some continued use- to become physically addictive.
Not Heroin. The first time you use it you are addicted.

[pspence]

i thought meth was instantly addictive...

[OnBendedKnee]

Nope.

Confirm with LadyCop if you're not sure to whether or not to believe me.

[Riotgear]

If only I hadn't smoked those Marlboros I wouldn't have this nasty heroin habit.

bp's never lead to titty clamps.

I was wondering why my titty clamps (first time I've ever typed that) made my asshole hurt.

[Riotgear]

If only I hadn't smoked those Marlboros I wouldn't have this nasty heroin habit.

TRIVIA:
Heroin is the only narcotic that is instantly addicting. Meth and other drugs require some use- not much, but some continued use- to become physically addictive.
Not Heroin. The first time you use it you are addicted.

Plus methamphetamine is so much more fun.

[sally]

My children could very well be predisposed to alcoholism since my dad was an alcoholic, but I don't think allowing them to have a glass of champagne on New years is whats going to unleash the beast . It's genetic, you're either an alcoholic or you're not.

[OnBendedKnee]

My children could very well be predisposed to alcoholism since my dad was an alcoholic, but I don't think allowing them to have a glass of champagne on New years is whats going to unleash the beast. It's genetic, you're either an alcoholic or your not.

You're safe.
It's like checking for balding within your family: look at your mom's uncle.
If he's bald (and an alcoholic) your kids are screwed.

[pspence]

[quote='sally' pid='276540' dateline='1344564519']
My children could very well be predisposed to alcoholism since my dad was an alcoholic, but I don't think allowing them to have a glass of champagne on New years is whats going to unleash the beast. It's genetic, you're either an alcoholic or your not.

It's genetic but it is also developmental.