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Underage Alcohol Use: An Introduction
Helping kids steer clear of alcohol involves more than simply warning them of the dangers; it involves helping them feel safe, supported, and free to talk about anything on their minds. It also requires building a strong relationship with your children and nurturing their personal values and skills to help them make smart decisions.
Even though it may not seem like it, you are the strongest influence in your child’s life. Your words and actions concerning alcohol use make a big difference in the choices they make now and when they're adults. Chances are you won't be there to guide them through every encounter with alcohol. But you can do a lot "behind the scenes" to help them stay healthy, strong, and safe.
Did You Know?
- By the time they graduate from high school, half of all teenagers report drinking alcohol regularly. One-third report binge drinking.
- The greatest increase in alcohol usage occurs between grades 6 and 10
- Fifty-five percent of middle and high school students say it is against their values to drink alcohol while they are teenagers.1
Even though it may not seem like it, you are the strongest influence in your child’s life. Your words and actions concerning alcohol use make a big difference in the choices they make now and when they're adults. Chances are you won't be there to guide them through every encounter with alcohol. But you can do a lot "behind the scenes" to help them stay healthy, strong, and safe.
