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Teens drinking at home: Is this right?

Teens drinking at home

In a world that is becoming increasingly liberal and free, every teen wants to be treated as an adult. It is so because very often teens are subjected to the statements like, “You should grow up” or “You are not a kid any more”. This becomes a double-edged sword when the teen decides to explore ‘grown-up areas’ like drinking. Drinking is a complicated habit that is tough to kick, partially enjoyable and something that we never want the kids to get into. So, should the parent tutor the teen into ‘good’ drinking or should the teens be kept away from alcohol at any cost? The article throws light on this significant aspect that surrounds the world of teens.

Parents teaching their kids to drink in moderation is a good idea

One of the foremost reason that teens take to drinking is because of the special thrill in doing something that is ‘forbidden’. So, there is a line of thought that says drinking should be taught in moderation to the children rather than make it an enticing taboo. Parents have a great responsibility in ensuring that their children should not step across the fine line that exists between ‘teaching responsible drinking’ and ‘establishing a bad precedent’. The argument proceeds that when parents teach their children everything important, from swimming, bicycling and playing to manners, social behaviors and attitudes. So, why should something like drinking that is important, be neglected?

The movies and television shows depict drinking as the most fun way of spending an evening and night. Marketing campaigns show drinkers as cool people, those who have all the best in life, be it girls, sex and adventures. An aura seems to surround the act of drinking. Parents have to demystify it and be open about it. Just like any risky adventure, drinking under proper supervision and guidance will ensure that the temptation is dealt with and the lesson is driven home at the same time. Thus, teens don’t binge and become addicted drinkers.

Drinking at home aggravates teen drinking problem

Those who argue against the parents teaching children about drinking, point out that the premise is faulty. Drinking is a slow poison that affects the body and the various mechanisms within and soon becomes an addiction. Would any parent do the same with narcotic drugs in order to demystify them? Studies have shown that those kids who have had alcohol before the age of 18 have a 6 times increased possibility of becoming compulsive drinkers before they turn 25. Even when identical twins were subjected to different drinking ways, the early drinkers diagnosed as compulsive before 25 years of age, though both had the same dis-inhibition traits to start off with. This happens because alcohol changes the way the chemical receptors in the body respond. The pleasure molecules or endorphin that gets released with alcohol, lose their ability for normal release and thus, become dependent on alcohol. This is what builds up the intense craving in the teens which is the beginning of a life-long addiction. It is very difficult to return from this point.

The answer is not that simple and straightforward

When we look at the whole issue objectively, we realize that there is no correct answer to the question on whether teens should be taught drinking at home or not. For instance, there are parents who believe that children have to be dealt strictly and an occasional beating will help in good upbringing. There are also those who vehemently feel that children should not experience even a harsh word, forget about the beating. And we have fine people who have resulted from both categories of children. Therefore, it all boils down to good parenting. It is common sense that those who drink have chances of ruining their lives because of it, but those who have not sipped alcohol have never suffered because of refraining.

If being a teetotaler is the best option, the other options in between also have to be considered. Expecting the children not to take to drinking when the parents themselves indulge in it would not be fair. The dictum of ‘practicing before one preaches’ definitely holds true here. When you advise your children against drinking, it is important that you support it with your actions too. Educate them about the harmful effects and set an ideal. This would go a long way in helping them for who would want to touch fire when they know that it burns.

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