Why Parents Tend to Permissively Approve Underage Drinking

The allowance of underage drinking by parents in certain states and countries remains a contentious issue. Many parents, especially those born during the baby boomer generation, may condone this behavior due to the prevailing attitudes and legal frameworks of their youth. This article delves into the reasons behind why parents often permissively approve underage drinking, emphasizing the role of societal norms, legal frameworks, and parental education.

Why Parents Look the Other Way

For many baby boomer parents, the legal drinking age of 18 in the United States and its relative leniency in enforcement may be a contributing factor. Furthermore, some younger parents find relief in knowing that their children are consuming only beer, and not harder drugs, thereby promoting a perceived sense of security and control. Statistically, 41 U.S. states permit parents to serve their underage children at home, while about 10 states grant permission in restaurants and bars. The acceptance of underage drinking by parents underscores a broader acceptance in society, where only 82 states regard it as legal.

Parental Attitudes and Expectations

Parents may not necessarily condone underage drinking but may tacitly accept it, either due to a lack of awareness or their own lack of maturity. It is crucial to recognize that parents' attitudes towards alcohol play a pivotal role in shaping the behavior of their children. If the government deems someone old enough to engage in military service or face the horrors of war at 18, the same maturity should be expected for drinking alcohol. Raising the age limit for war would be a more logical step than maintaining a flawed drinking age.

Some parents believe that the inevitability of their teenagers getting blackout drunk justifies a more permissive approach. By allowing teenagers to drink at home, under parental supervision, parents can ensure that their children learn how to handle alcohol responsibly. This controlled environment can help prevent incidents that occur when adolescents drink outside their home, where they lack protective measures.

Comparative Perspectives and Best Practices

Switzerland provides an interesting example of a country with a dual drinking age system. The country permits 16-year-olds to consume fermented drinks such as beer, wine, and cider, while the legal limit for hard alcohol remains at 18. This practice is common, with no apparent negative consequences noted.

Parents who serve their underage children alcohol, either at home or in restaurants, often do so with a well-thought-out plan. They aim to help teenagers learn about responsible drinking practices and manage their limits in a safe environment. This approach can be more effective than outright prohibition, which might only serve to make alcohol more appealing to young people.

The success of this approach is evident in the experiences of many parents. For instance, the author's parents fostered an open relationship with alcohol, allowing the author to consume shandy from age 12 and beer from age 14, with increasingly larger portions as the child matured. By the age of 15, the author could host parties with strictly controlled alcohol levels, and by age 16, they could do so with less parental intervention but still within reach. This gradual exposure to alcohol helped the author develop an understanding of their limits and better equipped them for situations where they would be drinking unaccompanied at pubs.

Similarly, university students who were allowed to drink alcohol at home tend to have a more moderate relationship with it compared to those who were prohibited. This moderation can be attributed to the responsible consumption habits developed in a controlled setting.

Conclusion

Parents who permissively approve underage drinking often do so with the best intentions and a desire to protect their children. While it is important to recognize the legal and societal contexts that influence such attitudes, parents can play a crucial role in shaping responsible drinking habits. By fostering open and transparent dialogues, educating their children about the responsible use of alcohol, and providing a controlled environment for its consumption, parents can help mitigate the risks associated with underage drinking and promote a healthier relationship with alcohol in their children.