Did you read the story of Daryl recently? He was the 15 year old boy who sculled 2 bottles of Ouzo at a party of 60 teenagers, passed out, the kids took him to friends (I guess out of fear of getting into trouble) and there he died. Hospital A and E services are collectively saying that the problem is getting worse, the effects worse and the tax on "alcopops" is having no effect.
It’s all very disturbing and we shake our heads wondering what can be done. But the research says that parents may not be as powerless or perfunctory as we thought. Parents indeed appear to not only underestimate the problem but also their role in the problem! Research done for Drinkwise, indicates the following:
-85% of parents of 14 - 17 year olds agree it is the responsibility of parents to show their children how to drink alcohol, but only 26% of parents believe their own drinking has influenced their children to drink alcohol (Quantum Market Research, 2007).
-When asked who the top three influences on their views and behaviours are, 10-17 year olds nominated their parents first (89%), followed by peers (63%), siblings (38%), grandparents (27%), right down to celebrities (3%) and newspapers (2%) (Quantum YouthScanTM Research, 2007).
-Over a quarter (31%) of 14 -17 year olds nominated their parents as the main influence on how much they will drink (Quantum Market Research, 2007).
-Research studies have found positive correlations between child drinking patterns to the drinking patterns of their parents, for example, if the parents are regular heavy social drinkers, so are their kids (Radecki, 2007; Dawe et. al.. 2006; Alati et. al., 2005; Toumbourou et. al. 2003).
-Research studies indicate that the earlier a child begins to drink alcohol, the more likely the child will drink heavily later on in adolescence, be a problem drinker and more likely to experience health and social problems later on in life (Toumbourou et. al. 2004; Ellickson et. al., 2003, Milgram, 2001).
The Way We Are Drinking:
-54% of males aged 14 and above, and 44% of females aged 14 and above consumed alcohol at ‘risky’ levels for short term harm (as defined by the 2001 Australian Alcohol Guidelines) at least once in the past 12 months (Quantum Market Research, 2007).
-51% of parents of young families consumed alcohol at ‘risky’ levels for short term harm (as defined by the 2001 Australian Alcohol Guidelines) at least once in the past 12 months (Quantum Market Research, 2007).
-Out of all parents who believed they were primarily responsible for teaching children the use of alcohol, 42% said that a ‘couple of drinks helps them unwind after a hard day’ and 22% admitted to drinking to get drunk (AustraliaSCANTM, 2008).
-54% of people in the research are unconcerned about the health issues surrounding drinking too much alcohol (suggesting a lack of awareness and knowledge) (AustraliaSCANTM, 2008).
The Way Our Kids Are Drinking:
-The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) reports that over the past five decades the average reported age of consumption of full serve of alcohol has decreased from 19 years to 15.5 years. Further, the proportion of risky drinking among 12 - 15 year olds has doubled in the past 15 years from 2.5 per cent to approximately 5 per cent. (Young People and Alcohol: the Role of Cultural Influences, 2007)
-27% of 14 year olds claimed to have had a drink in the last week (29% males), rising to 49% by 17 years (52% males). An alarming 10% of 12 year olds, and 16% of 13 year olds claimed to have had a drink in the last week (Australian Secondary Schools Survey, 2005).
-Parents were the most common source of alcohol, with 37% of students aged 12 to 17 indicating their parents gave them their last drink (Australian Secondary Schools Survey, 2005).
-More than a quarter (26.3%) of 14–19-year-olds put themselves at risk of alcohol-related harm in the short term at least once a month; higher among females of this age (28.3%) than males (24.5%) (2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 2008).
-39% of underage drinkers were supplied their alcohol from parents, with many parents relying on the assumption that if they provide and monitor child’s drinking then it won’t get out of hand (AustraliaSCANTM, 2008).
Parents in Dark/Denial about the True Level of Their Kids Drinking:
-40% of parents of 14-17 year olds think their kids NEVER drink (Quantum Market Research, 2007).
-However by the age of 14, 86% have tried alcohol rising to 96% by the time they are 17 and even 73% of 12 year olds have tried (Australian Secondary Schools Survey, 2005)
The problem is not just physical harm but harm to others and harm to the developing brain It’s not about being a wowser but it’s alarmingly apparent that parents have more influence on their children’s drinking than has ever been indicated previously.
If you have issues with your teenager’s drinking or other questions, then go to the Drinkwise website www.drinkwise.com.au where I have done my best to answer the most common questions, including what do you say when teenagers say everyone else is taking drink to the party, what do you do when kids won’t listen to your pleas, what do you do if your child is drinking at dangerous levels etc.
Here are a few ideas
-Talk to other parents about their views and rules regarding underage drinking especially at parties. Knowing that you have a similar stance will make it easier to set rules for your own child.
-Think in advance about the sorts of questions that your child will ask you about alcohol.
-Make the time to talk to your children about alcohol.
-If your teenager is drinking alcohol, make sure they know how to look after and keep safe any friends who may have overindulged.
- Research the damage drinking can have on adolescent health together with your child on the internet. This way it’s about learning rather than a lecture.
-Try using consequences rather than punishments if your child comes home drunk from a party. For instance, don’t do their washing, drive them to school or give them pocket money if they are not cooperating with you.
Tips for informing your teenager: From Drinkwise www.drinkwise.com.au
-Establish rules and follow your rules. Tell your child the rules hold true even at other people's houses.
-Set achievable boundaries and avoid unrealistic threats.
-Reward good behaviour and congratulate your teenager if they show a responsible attitude to drinking.
-Set a good example for your teenager - Think "would I be happy if my teenager drank the way I do."
-Discuss strategies with your teenager for dealing with peer group pressure situations.
-Don't use scare tactics because some teenagers like a dare and if their drinking experiences do not match your warnings then your advice on other matters will also be ignored.
- Find out what other parents think and what their rules are. Perhaps many of you share the same beliefs.
