 Brimstone says: It would be easy to preach abstinence to children until they’re 21, but is it naive and even irresponsible to think that teenagers won’t experiment? Might forbidding even a taste of wine with a meal actually encourage secrecy and recklessness? “The best evidence shows that teaching kids to drink responsibly is better than shutting them off entirely from it,” Much like the USA in South Africa teenage drinking is a problem and it majors around the lower income group. As the full article shows, most of these home alcohols is drunk way from the dinner table and usually by parents to the limits of drunkenness. The only difference in SA is that our legal age to consume alcohol is 18. Growing up I have witnessed alcohol abuse in my family. But I was also brought up to respect alcohol. And probably tasted my first wine at the age of 8, during Christmas or New Years. I went wine tasting probably at around 10, and was not really impressed... My father allowed us kids to have a single evening drink with him, of our choice, from the age of 12. As a consequence alcohol lost its mystery and appeal. By doing this he eliminated the illicit aspect of it and today none of us are drinkers - that is to say, we may occasionally enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. (Brimstone, what Province are you in?) Western Cape, are you also from SA Ja, KZN - just outside Durbs-by-the-sea This is a really difficult one. I certainly think outright prohibition is almost always a bad idea. If the "have a taste" method is used it must be combined with education. Children must learn the truth about all drugs; legal or otherwise. Forget the propaganda. Let them know how dangerous a drug alcohol is. What it does to individuals, families and societies. The "ain't beer great" attitude of many of our cultures needs to be questioned. Afterall look what it's done to me. There are no guarantees. But safe "experimentation" with good education seems a sensible approach to take with a lot of similar issues - other drugs, sex etc. What has beer done to you? And aint beer great, was not a big fan until 6 months ago, went to germany and really learnt how to taste a variety of beers. teaching kids to drink responsibly is better than shutting them off entirely from itI agree.My parents did the same with me and my brother,we drink a glass of wine with dinner sometimes.When I am out with friends I will have only one drink,cause I have a very low tolerance to alcohol anyway. @ Brimstone It's the whole alcohol culture (particularly bad here in the UK) that has caused damage. This is what I meant by the "ain't beer great culture". As for what it's done to me. Here's a hint. I absolutely agree that reasonable exposures by tasting and sips to satisfy young desires is responsible parenting. Growing up to the age of majority is the PROCESS of maturation, guided by one's parents, not INCUBATION suffocated by them. Here in Wisconsin it is legal for a parent to take a child into a bar and for the parent to serve that child any alcoholic drink. The bartender, however, cannot serve the child directly, even in the presence of the parent. There is a lower age limit to it, which if I recall correctly is 16 or 14. While I believe in the wisdom of this, it is against policy at the large hotel I was at to do so. When my children were in their teens they were allowed to have a small glass of wine at a special meal , they were allowed any drink mixed very weak if they wanted. My daughter later informed me that I had ruined it for her with her friends, They made a big deal of stealing their parents liquor and sneaking off to drink. She knew she could have one at home so sneaking out had lost its appeal. Things like this have to be taken on an individual basis. A lot depends on the environment of your society doesn't it? Personally, I would opt for the "just a taste"; agreeing with Tanya's daughter  I grew up where liquor was there (not hidden or locked away) and my parents always offered me a "taste" usually on special occasions like Aribeth and michellezm. I passed this "tradition" along with my own children ... and with one exception they all know how to drink responsibly. There was never the need to sneek around or hide. Smoking, on the other hand, was hidden (because they know I don't like that) ... and so they hid it from me until they were adults (and sometimes even now after they've told me they quit!) So I quess this proves the idea that possibly if children are exposed in the learning, nurturing environment of the home, they will learn to be more responsible. ... and giving... |
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