Another bull@!$%# psycho social study, so why aren't all the French alcoholics, they start drinking at age six. Parents need to teach responsible drinking what is appropriate and what is not.

There is one thing that reduced alcohol abuse, advertising. They should stop all advertising like they have with cigarettes

@phusi - Alcoholism is, in part, genetically linked. Selection has reduced this genetic trait in areas that have had long histories of alcohol use, such as France and Italy. Peoples with a short history of alcohol use, such as 'Native' Americans, have a much greater rate of Alcoholism. So to attribute differences in parenting to the fact the French have less of a problem even though they start drinking at a young age is inaccurate. As many experts will tell you, the best parenting in the world cannot guarantee a child will not become addicted to alcohol or drugs.

This is why some state have laws holding parents responsible if a teen has a party and anyone at the party get hurt or killed as a result of alcohol are held criminally liable. Parents immediately usually state that not my child, but when asked if children have wine with dinner, most parents say yes, just a little. That is all it takes to get a child started. I think parents need to held accountable anytime their child do something wrong period, its seem the only way parents learn. We are talking about lives, and it seem many parents don't get it. When it happens, the last thing I want to hear from a parent is, I did not know.

Parents are the number one influencer on the behaviors of their children. They have the opportunity to have a positive impact, but as this piece notes they can also have a negative impact.

The good news is that parents can be instrumental in preventing their children from going down an unhealthy path. Having regular and open conversations with your children about the negative impact and consequences of underage drinking is an important first step towards prevention. It’s also important for parents to set expectations of what behavior is acceptable and what is not from an early age. Communicate a zero tolerance policy for drinking under the age of 21, which is not only illegal but also harmful to developing brains.

I work for Caron Treatment Centers, a non-profit drug and alcohol treatment center, and we understand that having these conversations isn’t easy. We’ve pulled together a guide for talking to your children about substance abuse: We hope you find this information valuable.

Warm regards,
Katie S., Caron Treatment Centers

@CaronTreatment

Genetics of alcoholism was also a part of my studies in college. Worked with adolescents in rehab and school districts also. Alcohol has been around a long long time and the chances that we are an altered species is pretty clear.

Alcohol is not a food source nor a health supporter; it is a toxin and mind and mood altering chemical which has survived the fights to get it gone or reduced.

Labeling of the product does not say keep away from children and infact advertisments are aimed at youth drinking. Manufacturing, distribution and sales is arrogant in the process. When and where asked for change in the principles of how they treat the consumer they respond yah yah and do nothing. Labeling is purposefully vague so as not to reduce income. You might find a information strip telling the consumer that drinking while pregnant is not a good idea and then thats about the extent of it. Will they suggest that a person who has had problems with alcohol in the past abstain from alcohol totally? Never has happened in that industry as far as I know. "Drink responsibly" doesn't come with suggestions as how to do that or why. There is nothing in their marketing that points at being respectful and compassionate of those who are affected who don't drink at all.

Of course the most convient and cheapest way of getting alcohol for anyone, teen included is from the family pantry or bar.

Wow! Kids who aren't old enough to buy alcohol don't buy much alcohol! This must have taken YEARS to determine.

This like so many problems in this country falls right on the parents. Its about their attitude as parents and teaching responsibility. There were plenty of times in the few years before I was 21 that I had a drink with my parents. However, before that happened I was taught how to be responsible, not just with alcohol, but with anything dangerous. I learned that regardless if it was knife, a saw, a gun, a car, fire, or a beer, there is danger and if you use it incorrectly that there are risks. Thats part of the problem now, rather than teach kids how to becareful and not get hurt, people just want to wrap the world in bubble wrap and make their kids walk around wearing bomb-squad suits.

phusi There are a lot of crazy studies, but my anecdotal comment is as follows. I was a professional musician before I could drive, age 15. The bars that I played all gave me free drinks, as much and as strong as I liked. So it wasn't family, but rather, on the job alcohol training. I was treated as an adult and drank more than most adults in their lifetime.

Until I was 30, I hardly ever bought alcohol, yet I had all that I could hold. I agree, the younger you are exposed to alcohol, the more likely you are to abuse it and possibly have a problem stopping on your own.

As a Human Geographer I never trust any of these studies they are always biased to look for data they wanted to see. Basically they know the answer before the study was done and the data going reflect it.