The Problems of Parents/Caregivers Providing Alcohol to Young Adolescents

Written by Janette, a senior at CLU.

As time passes, more young adolescents are gaining access to alcohol, which has become a serious issue. What’s surprising is that the people allowing this are often those you least expect—close family members like parents, cousins, siblings, or family friends. The use of alcohol can have significant negative effects on adolescents, both short and long term. Laws strictly prohibit providing alcohol to minors. Many adults undermine these rules by teaching their adolescents that it’s acceptable as long as they give approval. This disregard for the law is a serious issue, and parents need to emphasize the importance of respecting legal boundaries.

As a young adult in college, I’ve seen how alcohol plays a huge role in social life. It’s something that’s almost expected at every party and hangout. And the pressure to partake in the act is insane. Partaking in this act can start at home at a very young age. Family/close friends allow underage drinking because they believe it is “safer”. It usually starts with, “Try it, you're in a family setting.” This has now normalized the act of underage drinking. “If my parents or other adults are cool with it, it must not be that big of a deal.” But the thing is, alcohol affects us all differently, and not everyone can handle it responsibly, especially when younger. I’ve seen/heard people make some pretty bad choices after drinking, even in what they thought was a "controlled" environment. It makes me wonder, is it really about keeping us safe, or are adults trying to avoid the awkwardness of saying “no” and setting limits?

If young people see drinking as something that’s acceptable and normal in their family or social circles, they’re more likely to develop unhealthy relationships with alcohol as they get older. Instead of seeing alcohol as something that should be handled responsibly, it might just become a casual thing, leading to habits that are hard to break later on. Long term, this could contribute to higher rates of alcohol dependency and addiction. Research shows that the younger people start drinking, the more likely they are to develop alcohol use disorders later in life. So, if underage drinking becomes more and more accepted, we might see a rise in alcohol-related health issues. This isn’t just about hangovers and bad decisions—it can lead to liver disease, heart problems, mental health issues, and more. It's a cycle that could keep repeating itself if adults keep sending the message that underage drinking is no big deal. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction time which leads to impaired driving and even unnecessary altercations. All of these consequences are heightened when people are underage and haven’t developed the maturity to handle alcohol responsibly.

I believe it is in the hands of adults to be clear about the risks of alcohol and set real boundaries with their adolescents. The more I see this happening around me, the more I realize how important it is for parents and caregivers to stick to what they know is right, even if it’s not always the easiest thing to do. The more something is accepted in homes, the less power laws and regulations have. Eventually, the whole concept of "underage" drinking might lose its meaning, making it harder to control or prevent.

Resources: 

• Get the Facts About Underage Drinking: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking
• Parenting To Prevent Childhood Alcohol Use: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/parenting-prevent-childhood-alcohol-use