May 11, 2004
The pressure to try alcohol is a real concern for many teens and their parents today. But what about younger kids - are they ever faced with the decision to drink or not to drink? According to a new national KidsHealth® KidsPoll surveying 690 9- to 13-year-olds about alcohol, underage drinking is a cause for concern for some middle-school-age children.
A collaboration of the Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth, the Department of Health Education and Recreation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the National Association of Health Education Centers (NAHEC), and participating health education centers throughout the United States, the KidsPoll found that 29% of children surveyed reported that they'd been offered alcohol at least once. And who's offering alcohol to these preadolescents? Of those kids who said they'd been offered alcohol, 34% said it was by "adults I know" and 29% said "older kids."
But just because some children are being presented alcohol doesn't mean they're actually trying it. The KidsPoll revealed that 72% of kids said they've never had more than one sip. Here's what the rest of the students had to say:
- 18% tried it once
- 4% drink once in a while, but not every month
- 3% drink every week
- 3% drink at least every month
Parents can take heart in the fact that kids polled seem to know that drinking is neither cool (86% said that teens who drink are "very un-cool") nor OK (89% of the kids polled said it's never OK to drink at their age).
Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol
Various factors may lead children and teens to try and even abuse alcohol. Kids may decide to take a drink because of peer pressure or as a way to deal with or escape from other problems, such as divorce, depression, or low self-esteem.
When asked what's the best way to keep kids from drinking alcohol, the majority (36%) of children surveyed for the KidsPoll said "give kids fun things to do instead," followed by "have people with alcohol problems talk to them" (21%).
To help curb the urge to experiment with alcohol and drugs, it's essential that parents begin communicating with children about alcohol at an early age and continue this dialogue throughout adolescence. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Ages 4 to 7
Young kids still think and learn primarily by experience and don't have a good understanding of things that will happen in the future. Discussions about alcohol with kids this age should be kept in the present and should be related to people and events your child knows about.
Take advantage of "teachable moments" to educate your child about the dangers of drinking. For example, if your child sees alcohol being consumed and is curious about it, let him or her know that alcohol is only for grown-ups, that it's not good for kids. Don't offer a taste.
Most children between the ages of 4 and 7 are also interested in how their bodies work, so this is a good time to talk about maintaining good health and avoiding substances that might harm the body.
Ages 8 to 11
The later elementary school years are crucial in influencing decisions about alcohol use. For kids ages 8 to 11, continue to explain the risks of alcohol use, but also tie your discussions to real events discussed in newspaper articles or television shows. Watching TV with your child can provide a chance to talk about alcohol and advertising messages. Ask your child questions about the ads such as, "Do you think drinking beer makes people more popular or good-looking?" and encourage him or her to ask questions as well.
Children at this age also love to learn facts, especially strange ones, and they're eager to learn how things work and what sources of information are available to them. Openly discuss facts about alcohol: the long- and short-term effects and consequences of its use, the effects of alcohol on different parts of the body, and why it's especially dangerous for growing bodies.
Friends become very important at this age. A child's interests may be determined by what his or her group of friends thinks. Teach your child to say "no." Casual discussions about alcohol and friends can take place at the dinner table as part of your normal conversation: "I've been reading about young kids using alcohol. Do you ever hear about kids using alcohol or other drugs in your school?"
It's also important to arm your child with various ways to combat offers of alcohol:
- Teach your child to explain why he or she isn't interested in drinking, with statements such as, "I'm seeing a movie that night," "I don't want to get a hangover," or "I've got a game (or practice) later."
- Teach your child to suggest other things to do. If a friend offers alcohol, your child can offer other alternatives like another beverage or snack, going out to dance, or renting a movie.
- Remind your child to leave any uncomfortable situation. Make sure your child has money for transportation or a phone number where you or another responsible adult can be reached.
Ages 12 to 17
By the time kids are about 12 years old, they should be aware of issues such as why people drink, the risks of alcohol use, and how to handle situations in which friends or classmates may pressure them to drink. At this age, you should reinforce what's already been taught and keep the lines of communication open.
During the teen years, kids are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Their increasing need for independence may make them to want to defy parents' wishes as a way of asserting their freedom. But the chances of communicating positively with your adolescent increases if he or she feels that you accept and respect the person he or she is now: a person who wants to be liked and accepted by peers and who needs a certain degree of privacy and trust.
You can help show your respect by avoiding discipline methods such as excessive preaching and threats. And even if teens act like they don't need their parents' affection, they do. Tell your adolescent, "I love you, and I am concerned about you. That's why I want you to know about this or why I want to talk about this."
To motivate teens to do the right thing, tie responsible actions to freedoms such as a later curfew. Teach your child that freedom only comes with responsibility. It's also extremely important to emphasize to your child to never drive under the influence or accept a ride from someone who's been drinking. Some parents find that offering to pick up their children if they're in an uncomfortable situation - no questions asked - helps encourage kids to be honest and call when they need help.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Despite your best efforts, your child may still use - and abuse - alcohol. How can you tell? Here are a few warning signs to look out for:
- the odor of alcohol
- sudden change in mood or attitude
- change in attendance or performance at school
- loss of interest in school, sports, or other activities
- discipline problems at school
- withdrawal from family and friends
- secrecy
- association with a new group of friends and reluctance to introduce them to you
If you suspect that your child is drinking, it's time to sit down and talk. Try to get some honest information from your child about the frequency and how much. This may lead to a frank discussion in which you have an opportunity to set ground rules concerning alcohol use in your family.
Whether you think your children may be abusing alcohol or not, convey to your kids that you're there to love, support, educate, and protect them throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: May 2004
