Talking with your children about alcohol use is essential, but it is not enough. Parents also need to help their children develop the skills and competencies they need to make healthy choices even when you are not in the room.The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets is a great tool for parents and other adults.
Remember:
- Be an active and supportive presence in their daily lives.
- Communicate your beliefs, values and expectations.
- Follow through.
Parenting is a tough job and there are plenty of forces out there, like the media, that make it even harder. Teens still need plenty of adult supervision. TARGET 21 offers information and strategies to help.
- Keep Track of Activities
- Communicate
- Monitor
- Connect
Keep Track of Your Teen’s Activities.
Be aware of your teen’s plans and whereabouts. When he or she asks to attend a party or other event, call the adult responsible and verify that there will be supervision and that no alcohol or other drugs will be served. Be consistent and remember, your child will be more open to your supervision if he or she feels you are keeping tabs because you care, not because you distrust him or her.
Communicate a No Use Message.
When parents establish clear “no alcohol” rules and expectations, their children are less likely to begin drinking. Although each family should develop agreements about teen alcohol use that reflect their own beliefs and values, some possible family rules about drinking include: 1.) Will not drink alcohol until they are 21; 2.) Older siblings will not encourage younger brothers or sisters to drink and will not give them alcohol; 3.) Will not stay at teen parties where alcohol is served; and 4.) Will not ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking. The Family Pledge is a great tool to use to start this conversation.
Monitor Alcohol Use in Your Home
If you keep alcohol in your home, keep track of the supply. Make it clear to your child that you don’t allow unchaperoned parties or other teen gatherings in your home. Whenever possible, encourage your son or daughter to invite friends over when you are at home. When your son or daughter entertains friends at home, you have an opportunity to get to know his or her friends. You are also able to support a positive, healthy and safe atmosphere where teens can socialize.
Connect With Other Parents.
Getting to know other parents and guardians can help you keep closer tabs on your child. Friendly relations can make it easier for you to call the parent of a teen who is having a party to be sure that a responsible adult will be present and that alcohol will not be available. You’re likely to find out that you’re not the only adult who wants to prevent teen alcohol use—many other parents share your concern.
Set a Good Example.
Set a Good Example
Parents and other adult family members are important role models. Studies indicate that if a parent uses alcohol, his or her children are more likely to drink as well.
Parents who do use alcohol moderately may lessen the likelihood that their child will drink. Some suggestions:
- Emphasize the fact that alcohol use is illegal for anyone under the age of 21.
- Communicate and enforce a clear, no use expectation for anyone under the age of 21.
- Never ask your son or daughter to get your alcoholic beverage for you.
- Talk to your teen and explain why waiting until at least the age of 21 is important for his or her future.
Evaluate Your Own Alcohol Use
Remember, your child is observing your relationship with alcohol. Be sure to honestly evaluate how you use alcohol and what messages your use communicates to your child:
- How often do you use alcohol?
- Is alcohol present during most or all of your social or celebratory activities and events?
- Do you use alcohol as a way to handle problems or stress?
- Do you drive or ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking?
- Does your alcohol use negatively affect your relationships?
If you need help with alcohol related issues, visit Irvine Community Drug Prevention's website for a list of local resources.
Most High School Students in Irvine Don't Drink Alcohol
Students often overestimate alcohol use by their peers and this misconception may influence their decision to use. At the same time, many adults reinforce these misconceptions. Some may even believe that their child's use is normal adolescent behavior, ignoring the very real potential for harm.
It is important for adults to reinforce the positive, healthy behaviors that most students engage in. Begin conversations regarding alcohol and other drug use with normative statements like, "most teens are not using alcohol."
Download the Family Pledge
Allowing Teens to Drink at Home?
According to a recent study, teens who were allowed to drink alcohol at home also drank more alcohol than their peers when they were outside the home. Like their peers who drank, they were also at greater risk of developing alcohol problems. Researchers explain that many parents continue to believe that when they model responsible drinking behavior, their children will follow. Others may think that when they drink with their child, they can control how they drink. The research, however, does not support these assumptions. Instead, researchers concluded that the best way parents can help their teen avoid alcohol related problems is to strive to delay the onset of use. The research was published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Read more...
Facts About Alcohol and Adolescent Health
The choice of adolescents to use alcohol or not is a result of various biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) explains that the adolescent brain is more prone to risk-taking behavior and outside sources such as stress. Transitions from elementary school to middle school and from middle to high school also lead to more opportunities to start consuming alcohol. Knowledge regarding this creates opportunies for prevention and intervention efforts to counter these factors. Read more...
Developmental Issues in Underage Drinking Research
To understand how and why some adolescents choose to drink alcohol before the legal age of 21, it is necessary to look from a developmental perspective. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) stresses that based on research there are critical points in the stages of adolescents’ development where intervention can be implemented to reduce underage drinking. For example, during childhood parental intervention is more effective while interventions involving peers is more effective for adolescents. Read more...
Furnishing Alcohol to Minors is a Crime
California State Assembly Bill 1658 imposes harsher penalties to those who provide alcoholic beverages to minors, those who manufacture or provide fake I.D.’s and for those minors who purchase or who are in possession of an alcoholic beverage. The penalties imposed under CA AB 1658 do not preclude prosecution or the imposition of penalties under any other provision of law including, but not limited to Section 272 of the Penal Code and Section 13202.5 of the Vehicle Code. These penalties do not include judgments or fines from possible civil court action.