I totally agree with this. My parents never made a big deal about alcohol and usually let me drink when I would ask to try. I usually just drink on social occasions, but now I've completely stopped (due to another reason though).

I am not sure that this would be a logical way to fight binge drinking. If we agree that alcohol is an addictive substance then why would you want to introduce that to a minor? You don't have to "start kids early" to teach them the responsibility to drink in moderation. You do have to talk to them and teach them by example.

It might not be right for everyone, but it does totally take the mystery away from the alcohol. For me, when I came to experimenting, I wasn't really interested in it. My friends wanted to go drinking, and I wasn't bothered. My brother, who is 16 now, is the same. It helps that my parents drink wine on a Saturday night, and that's it, they have quite a good attitude towards alcohol.

The main point of it is to take take out the rebellious aspect. It's pretty much like reverse psychology. When you tell someone they can't do something, they're going to want to do it even more. Like Marz said, this is probably not the right thing for everyone, but if you look at countries that are more liberal when it comes to alcohol consumption it doesn't seem to be as big a problem compared to the US.

I don't know how well this really works statistically, I just know that we never had alchohol in the house, and I never really got interested in drinking. Even when my friends did, i just didn't feel the need. My brother does however, and we were raised together. I think maybe alchohol use is more of a personality thing than an upbringing thing.

And pot too! No seriously, children should be shown adults drinking in a responsible manner and not behaving like, well children, except I can't remember when I last saw a 12yr old child vomit in the street, piss his/her pants, sleep with a co-worker/stranger, commit a adultery/crime or wind up in A&E..
What hope is there for young adults when at 18 or 21 they still go out and do some or one of the above, I'm sure all Plimers have 'ticked' a few of the above boxes and more than likely have a few more personnel boxes of their own. Kids don't need to be introduced to alcohol early as that would be introducing them to 'Adulthood', to early. I've seen kids on the street thinking their adults and its not pleasant or pretty.

That said I'm glad to have pissed my pants and slept with a stranger at a young age and can't really thank alcohol enough for what was a profound experience. Slainte.

Fay also says Stanton Peele doesn't take into account other consequences of teen drinking, such as unsafe sex and drunken driving. "You don't have to be addicted to be harmed or die because of drugs and alcohol."

Doesn't she sound like a bright one? Clearly missing the point and seemingly has had her pants scared off by liberal media (or perhaps alcoholism in her family). Any way you look at it, it's no secret that abuse is the problem, not USE.


I've been allowed to drink ever since I can remember. When I was four I remember sitting on my dad's knee watching X-files, and he had his frosty mug of beer and I had a smaller one. He's always been willing to buy me liquor of any sort if I asked (obviously not the really expensive stuff), and sometimes he would surprise me. When I was 7 he brought home Goldschlager (a regular bottle to actually be consumed and a miniature one I could keep) and I was thrilled because of the gold in it. He just said that I should ask him first if I want to drink. Alcoholism runs in my family, very heavily and in both sides, and my mom was never thrilled about the idea of me consuming alcohol. I was never particularly thrilled about it either. I don't drink at all now, I decided I don't like the way it makes me feel and it's just not really of interest to me. I've had friends who just never shut up about turning 18 (drinking age here) and how smashed they planned to get and with what forms of liquor they planned to do so. Even at parties, I don't drink. That's not to say I'm not amused by those who do. If I were to have children I'd like to think I'd raise them in a similar manner to that in which my father raised me (in regards to alcohol and the consumption thereof anyway).

I remember being allowed to taste the froth (YAY German beer!) from my parents' glasses at a very young age. Alcohol was never a mystery or taboo in my family, and so my sixteenth birthday (legal age for consumption of beer & wine, but not liquor) didn't tempt me to booze at all. Of course I made experiences with alcohol during growing up, but it has never had that desirable element of initiation or something the like. When I wanted a bottle of liquor at age 15 or 16, my parents would eventually give it to me, because they knew I would use it responsibly (which I really did). For cannabis, it's a little different: I tried it, but didn't tell my parents. I think I never really abused it, and by now, my mom has found out that I can get it much easier than she can, and I occasionally supply her with brownies.

I would never give alcohol to my children. I cannot speak for others but I remember tasting the Passover wine-and loving it. My grandmother thought it was fine, too, to give me a taste, and then some. I remember spinning in circles over and over again. I loved that feeling and I was very young. But I really do feel that it sparked something inside of me. That I am sure was already there. I wouldn't even consider addiction a problem on both sides of my family. Definitely, on the Native American side. But knowing that alcohol was a problem for me-haven't had a drink in almost three years-I wouldn't introduce them to something that could potentially do them harm. It's not worth taking that chance.

Ive never had alcohol in my life. One time I remember my parents said I could taste beer but I didnt because it smelled bad. Now I never drink and dont really want too yet

I'll stick to my bottle of milk, thank you :)

I was allowed a bit of wine at Sunday suppers for as long as I could remember. My grandpa made his own wine, and I was allowed a sip of beer here and there, particularily after a long day on the combine. Sure, I did do a bit of partying and the like when I was 16 or so, but since alcohol was not some forbidden thing and our parents knew we were all out drinking, we were responsible enough to never let it get too out of hand.

It wasn't until I got to university and saw so many 18 year old kids who had never been allowed to drink before try and knock back ten shots of tequila that I was glad alcohol was never forbidden to me.

I agree completely. When I was 7 or 8, I was a very picky eater. My parents let me drink beer once, and it tasted horrible. I threw up from one sip. I don't think I hold much risk of becoming an alcoholic.

Alcohol was never taboo when I grew up. I would occasionally get a glass of beer or wine, if I asked, and I was allowed to taste harder drinks if anyone happened to be having one around me, but that was rare. Until I was in my late 20s I rarely drank anything, and still drink responsibly.

In our house we allow our kids to have sips of whatever we're having, if they want, but none of them have ever wanted more than that. They know it's a "grown up drink" and that it's something we do in moderation.