The study, which included 428 Dutch families with two children, found that the more teenagers were allowed to drink at home, the more they drank outside of the home. In addition, teens who drank either with their parents or on their own were at higher risk for developing alcohol-related problems. These problems included difficulty with school work, truancy and fighting.
The findings call into question the practice of allowing teens to drink at home with their parents as a way to teach responsible drinking behaviors. This practice is fairly common in the Netherlands, where the study was conducted. Researchers say, however, that the practice is not supported by scientific evidence.
Dr. Haske van der Vorst, lead researcher on the study, commented: "The idea is generally based on common sense. For example, the thinking is that if parents show good behaviour -- here, modest drinking -- then the child will copy it. Another assumption is that parents can control their child's drinking by drinking with the child.
"If parents want to reduce the risk that their child will become a heavy drinker or problem drinker in adolescence they should try to postpone the age at which their child starts drinking."
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
Labels: teen drinking, parental drinking
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