Do you tell your child that you disapprove of underage drinking?

Teen perception of parental disapproval is a far more powerful deterrent to teen smoking, drinking and drug use than legal restrictions. As a parent you have more influence over your children than you realize. Kids spend a lot of time with friends, television, music and magazines. But they are also tuned in to you. Your words as well as your actions impact them in many ways. Children are less likely to drink when their parents are involved in their lives and when they and their parents report feeling close to one another.

Spell it out for your child. Your child needs information to make good decisions. Tell your child that you disapprove of underage drinking, and tell them WHY!

• Alcohol affects the BODY.  A single drink can affect you as it moves through the blood stream to every organ including the brain. The more a person drinks, the more he or she is affected. Alcohol changes the way you behave. Your ability to make decisions is affected. You can lose your balance, and may be unable to speak or see clearly.  The more alcohol a person drinks, the worse the effects will be.  Alcohol can also have lasting affects on the brain, but most importantly, in an ADOLESCENT, the damage done by alcohol (tobacco and other drugs) interferes with brain development. Research shows that heavy alcohol use can impair adolescent memory function by as much as 10 percent.  Adolescents who drink a lot of alcohol end up having more memory and learning impairment than adults who drink the same amount because they are more susceptible. Science tells us that the adolescent brain is under construction into a person’s early 20’s and alcohol is continues to be the substance that does the most damage to the most kids.
• Underage drinking is against the LAW. It is illegal for a person under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, have bodily alcohol content or have alcohol in their possession. Your teen will be prosecuted under the law and conviction carries heavy fines and possible jail time for them. (A parent can also be prosecuted and charged with a misdemeanor, a felony - if a major crime or death is involved - or be sued for civil liability, which may carry heavy fines, attorney fees, court costs and possible jail time.) An alcohol related violation becomes part of your record and may affect your chances of getting into college, becoming employed or reaching other goals. Tell your child that they may not drink until they are 21 years of age, but they are still subject to the laws and excessive drinking still brings very serious legal consequences.
• Underage drinking is against our family beliefs and values. If you don’t drink as an adult, explain why and whether the reasons are health related, religious, morally based, whether there is a history of alcohol abuse in the family, etc. For example, women who are trying to conceive, should not drink for it interferes with development of the fetus; prescription medications should not be taken with alcohol; alcoholism is a progressive disease which causes physical deterioration and depression; there is a history of alcoholism and substance abuse in the family. If you do drink as an adult, explain your rules for drinking responsibly and in moderation. Talk about your own experience as a teen if the question is asked. Do not lie, but do not dwell on your history as a teen.  Do not glamorize drinking by saying "I did it and I turned out OK". Emphasize that we have more information today on the affects and hazards of alcohol. Talk to your child, on a regular and frequent basis about maintaining self respect, good character and developing his or her own set of principles, values and morals. Always listen to and respect your child’s opinion.
• Underage drinking is DANGEROUS. Explain the dangers involved with underage use of alcohol such as injury, illness, death, sexual promiscuity, belligerent behavior, aggression, and risk to others along with embarrassment, disappointment of loved ones and friends, and damage to reputation and character.