Should Kids "Learn" to Drink Responsibly?

Some parents think that it’s inevitable that their kids are going to drink. It’s not even a question of whether they will decide to drink or not to drink. A non-alcoholic life doesn’t even seem like a possibility. This amazes some people who find that life is just fine and dandy without having to spend money on excess liquids, without having to “need” something to calm them down and end their day or forget their job. Other people find it possible to experience a greater calm through their faith in God. Some find it in meditation, and some just find their release through good old sports or watching funny movies. Drinking isn’t the only option.

So, back to whether they should give it to their kids. Some feel very strongly that if they teach them to drink responsibly at home, then they will be more likely to do so elsewhere. They figure the kids are going to drink before age 21 anyway, and so they initiate them into the process.

They aren’t thinking about the fact that they are teaching their kids that it’s okay to disobey the law. Ever heard the old saying, “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile?”
If it’s okay to drink beer and wine at home at age 16, 17, 18 or even 19 or 20, then maybe it’s not so bad to drive while drinking. Maybe some of the other laws are stupid too.

Some experts say that exposing teens to alcohol early increases the chances of binge drinking, and may even lead to alcoholism later on. Others disagree.

Here’s a point to think about. Did you know that according to a study done in 2007, underage drinking is costing the citizens of Wisconsin more than 1 billion dollars a year? This includes medical care and loss of work.

Parents who start their kids out early are also not considering the fact that giving any alcohol to a minor is an offense and they could be fined for doing so.

Experimenting with liquor is happening at ever-earlier ages. One statistic shows that 11% of all the alcohol in the country is consumed by people under the age of 21. And about 6% of kids ages 12-14 say that they’ve had a drink in the past month.