Should there be tougher laws to prevent parents from introducing alcohol to...

[Dr. Andrew Rochford]

...their kids? Alcohol can cause damage to a young person’s developing brain and parents are the primary source of supply of alcohol to minors (37%). In Australia the legal drinking age is 18 years of age.

With this in mind, I'd like to know what your thoughts are, on the issue of whether there should be tougher laws to prevent parents from introducing alcohol to their children.

 

[raysny]

No. We've been making alcohol and drugs more attractive with easily disproved scare tactics and increased restrictions. Look how well prohibition worked!

"...many groups around the world have learned how to consume alcohol widely with almost no problems. Those familiar to most Americans include Italians, Jews, and Greeks. The success of such groups has three parts: 1) beliefs about the substance of alcohol, 2) the act of drinking, and 3) education about drinking.

In these successful groups:

* the substance of alcohol is seen as neutral. It is neither a terrible poison nor is it a magic substance that can transform people into what they would like to be
* The act of drinking is seen as natural and normal. While there is little or no social pressure to drink, there is absolutely no tolerance for abusive drinking
* Education about alcohol starts early and starts in the home. Young people are taught -- through their parents' good example and under their supervision -- that if they drink, they must do so moderately and responsibly"
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/UnderageDrinking.html

 

[Kaitlyn]

yes there should be tougher laws. even with there being alcohol in the home it is intorducing it to the child. when parents drink alot or even just sometimes but always arounfd the child/ern they think it is normal!!!

 

[Maverick]

Kids will always find other ways, older siblings, hell even I was served at liquor stores many a time and never asked for ID when I was underage.

 

[Jules]

It makes you wonder how effective the current laws are when kids constantly get access to alcohol - either through their mates or parents.

Its so easy to get - the fines are a warning in my opinion - I used to work in a bottle shop when I was at Uni and I never heard of anyone getting fined for buying alcohol for a minor.

My question would be who would police it? Police right now have to be on the roads catching drivers for minor traffic offences to earn as much money for the government as possible - they dont have time to go to local pubs/clubs and check IDs.

Im hoping the more education and the ads on telly about binge drinking - maybe the education and recognition of teen binging will be a talking point and open some parents eyes to the damage that can be done.

cheers Doc

 

[All my friends are dead]

I love you!!!

 

[Jesus loves atheists too]

I believe it is already a jailable offense (at least in the USA). What would you suggest, death-penalty?

 

[RaTz]

No. Introducing moderate alcohol to your kids at meals as they're growing up makes them less likely to be binge drinkers and alcoholics. I question your science there.