Two videos from Katy Perry and Amy Winehouse show parents throwing drinking parties for their kids. This also implies that it’s okay for the kids to do it because mom and dad did too. Here are some questions answered by UB Co-Founder, Joyce Marter:
How do celebrities influence our kids?
Kids learn how to behave by imitating their role models, whether these are celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, or their parents. It is basically, “monkey see, monkey do”.
A UK report in 2007 cited government research findings that showed teenage girls are worse binge drinkers than boys (29% as compared to 26% of 16 y/o's) because of the influence of role models such as Amy Winehouse and Kate Moss.
On average, kids see more than 100K alcohol commercials before they turn 18. Shows like Real World, Jersey Shore and music videos tend to glamorize underage binge drinking.
A study conducted in 2000 at Washington State University found that kids are influenced by the messages about drinking that they receive from TV (that it will make them happier or more popular). The study also found that parents play an important role in either encouraging or discouraging their kids to drink.
Is it okay for kids to drink/binge because mom and dad did it too?
Parents are sometimes have the misunderstanding that just because they drank as teenagers, it is okay for their kids to drink.
A study in 2009 found that kids whose parents talked positively about their own underage drinking were more likely to drink themselves. The study also found kids whose parents stayed mum about their underage drinking were less likely to drink.
Also, it is a different day and age. For example, marijuana is up to 7 times more potent than it was in the 1970's. Also, teens brains are still developing and alcohol affects them differently.
Is parent-supervised drinking more common?
Yes--the thought is that kids are going to drink anyway so why not reduce the harm by supervising the teens while they drink and this strategy is backfiring.
An American Medical Association study reported in 2005 that 25% of teens said they had been at a party where underage drinking was taking place in the presence of a parent. A study in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs concluded that adult-supervised alcohol use was resulting in higher instances of alcohol related consequences, such as fights, blackouts, not being able to stop drinking, etc. This research shows that when parents have a “zero tolerance' policy for teen drinking it is more effective in reducing negative outcomes than a harm-minimization attempt through supervised drinking.
A survey published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in 2004 found that teens who attended a party where alcohol was supplied by a parent were trice as likely to have engaged in binge drinking and twice as likely to be regular drinkers.
Drunk driving and alcohol related accidents are still the most frequent cause of death among teenagers.
Is binge drinking/teenage alcoholism on the rise?
The definition of a binge drinker is somebody who has consumed 5 or more drinks one the same occasion in past 30 days.
A study released in April by The Partnership at Drugfree.org says teen drinking is on the rise and that 45% of the teens questioned don't see the big deal about downing 5 or more alcoholic drinks per day. 68% of teens in the study said they had alcohol and one quarter had their first drink at age 12 or younger.
According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, when kids under age 15 start drinking and drinking heavily (20 drinks or more a month), they are about 6 times more likely to end up with alcohol problems”.
Is it okay for parents to throw parties for their kids?
Parents need to remember that they will be held legally responsible if a minor drinks in their home or own their property. If they do nothing to stop it, they are contributing to the problem and could be held responsible for an accident, injury or death.
Kids do not need their parents to be “cool” or be their best friends. They need somebody who can set safe limits.
Kids consume in far greater quantities than adults—they average 5 drinks and an adult averages just over 2 per drinking episode.
Parents need to be good role models for their kids by drinking responsibly and living a healthy lifestyle, set safe limits by having a zero tolerance policy on teen drinking, and educate them about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse. Parents should also teach their kids alcohol refusal skills and encourage them to participate in activities such as sports or other hobbies that will keep them involved in something positive.
For more information, please visit www.urbanbalance.org or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
How do celebrities influence our kids?
Kids learn how to behave by imitating their role models, whether these are celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, or their parents. It is basically, “monkey see, monkey do”.
A UK report in 2007 cited government research findings that showed teenage girls are worse binge drinkers than boys (29% as compared to 26% of 16 y/o's) because of the influence of role models such as Amy Winehouse and Kate Moss.
On average, kids see more than 100K alcohol commercials before they turn 18. Shows like Real World, Jersey Shore and music videos tend to glamorize underage binge drinking.
A study conducted in 2000 at Washington State University found that kids are influenced by the messages about drinking that they receive from TV (that it will make them happier or more popular). The study also found that parents play an important role in either encouraging or discouraging their kids to drink.
Is it okay for kids to drink/binge because mom and dad did it too?
Parents are sometimes have the misunderstanding that just because they drank as teenagers, it is okay for their kids to drink.
A study in 2009 found that kids whose parents talked positively about their own underage drinking were more likely to drink themselves. The study also found kids whose parents stayed mum about their underage drinking were less likely to drink.
Also, it is a different day and age. For example, marijuana is up to 7 times more potent than it was in the 1970's. Also, teens brains are still developing and alcohol affects them differently.
Is parent-supervised drinking more common?
Yes--the thought is that kids are going to drink anyway so why not reduce the harm by supervising the teens while they drink and this strategy is backfiring.
An American Medical Association study reported in 2005 that 25% of teens said they had been at a party where underage drinking was taking place in the presence of a parent. A study in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs concluded that adult-supervised alcohol use was resulting in higher instances of alcohol related consequences, such as fights, blackouts, not being able to stop drinking, etc. This research shows that when parents have a “zero tolerance' policy for teen drinking it is more effective in reducing negative outcomes than a harm-minimization attempt through supervised drinking.
A survey published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in 2004 found that teens who attended a party where alcohol was supplied by a parent were trice as likely to have engaged in binge drinking and twice as likely to be regular drinkers.
Drunk driving and alcohol related accidents are still the most frequent cause of death among teenagers.
Is binge drinking/teenage alcoholism on the rise?
The definition of a binge drinker is somebody who has consumed 5 or more drinks one the same occasion in past 30 days.
A study released in April by The Partnership at Drugfree.org says teen drinking is on the rise and that 45% of the teens questioned don't see the big deal about downing 5 or more alcoholic drinks per day. 68% of teens in the study said they had alcohol and one quarter had their first drink at age 12 or younger.
According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, when kids under age 15 start drinking and drinking heavily (20 drinks or more a month), they are about 6 times more likely to end up with alcohol problems”.
Is it okay for parents to throw parties for their kids?
Parents need to remember that they will be held legally responsible if a minor drinks in their home or own their property. If they do nothing to stop it, they are contributing to the problem and could be held responsible for an accident, injury or death.
Kids do not need their parents to be “cool” or be their best friends. They need somebody who can set safe limits.
Kids consume in far greater quantities than adults—they average 5 drinks and an adult averages just over 2 per drinking episode.
Parents need to be good role models for their kids by drinking responsibly and living a healthy lifestyle, set safe limits by having a zero tolerance policy on teen drinking, and educate them about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse. Parents should also teach their kids alcohol refusal skills and encourage them to participate in activities such as sports or other hobbies that will keep them involved in something positive.
For more information, please visit www.urbanbalance.org or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .