Parents and Teen Drinking

Many parents believe it is safer to allow their teenager to drink at home where they can keep a watchful eye rather than allow their child to attend a party where alcohol may be served. These parents may provide alcohol to their child's friends as well. Although there are laws that very from state to state that makes the parents providing the alcohol to the teens, responsible for any accidents cause by the intoxication of the teens. Even if parents are not home when the drinking occurs, if it was on their property, they may still be held responsible.

Joshua A. Levine, a then junior at Brandeis University, published an article in the Boston Globe on November 20, 2004, pleading with parents to introduce alcohol at home. "Ensure they are safe," he wrote, "but also guarantee that they know what they are doing. Please introduce them to alcohol before they go off to college so that, on the first weekend, they don't drink themselves into the ER."

Underage Drinking: Is It Worth It?

Parents Influence On Teen Drinking
Most deaths weren't caused by drinking and driving, 68% of these deaths were the following; homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other causes.
Studies show that most teens are influenced by their own parents to start drinking.

Alcohol and Teen Health

Alcohol contributes to liver disease and may increase the risk of some cancers. Even taken in small quantities, it can affect brain development, and, in large quantities, can cause permanent brain damage. According to NIAAA, "Adolescents also are vulnerable to alcohol-induced brain damage, which could contribute to poor performance at school or work. In addition, youthful drinking is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol abuse or dependence later in life." NIAAA also cites that underage alcohol use is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined, due to drinking and driving. It also increases suicide risk, sexual assault, and high-risk sex.

Teens and Drinking 

Despite being illegal, underage drinking continues to remain an enormous threat to public health. Teenage drinking increases the risk of fatalities from motor vehicle crashes, impairs decision-making and memory, increases the risk of alcohol dependence in adulthood, and can result in significant health risks to the still-developing adolescent brain. Unfortunately, underage drinking is not an isolated or rare problem. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported in 2003 that nearly 50 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink before eighth grade and more than 20 percent admit to having been drunk. According to the Alcohol Policy Information System, "Annually, about 5,000 youth under age 21 die from motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, and homicides and suicides that involve underage drinking."