Basic HTML Version
beverages in moderation to enhance
a mea! and provide added relaxation
are teaching their children responsi–
ble use of a substance that is so often
misused. The parents' example
ought to include such things as how
to handle the serving of drinks at a
party. The children will see that
their parents don'l serve only alco–
holic beverages or exert pressure on
those who prefer not to drink. This
example shows concern for others,
especially insisting that, as the
advertisement reminds the reader,
"if you drink don't drive."
What about the use of alcohol by
the young? Should parents ban its
use entirely? Sorne specialis ts sug–
gest that most fami lies shou ld not
ban alcohol totally. After all, rnost
parents today don't expect their
children to g row up and totally
abstain throughout their lives. In
that
ca~e.
why not leach heal thy
attitudes toward drinking in lhe
horne? lnstead of rnaking alcohol a
kind of forbidden fruit to be gulped
secretly or guzzled lo feel grown–
up, farnilies could demonstrate its
proper use in a relaxed, open, fami–
ly meallime environrnenl showing
alcohol is no big deal in itself. Such
a setting also teaches that overuse
is not funny or something to be
admired- rather il shows lhat
rnoderation is a true sign of rnatur–
ity.
Western society does not have
firm traditions or rules about alco–
hol consurnption, but certain ethnic
groups that do have such traditions
have drastically fewer problems
wilh alcohol abuse. In sorne of
these groups moderate drinking is
quite acceptable in the family and
borne; overuse is highly frowned
upon. The combination of farnily
an d group example provides a
winning team in preventing alcohol
rnisuse.
T a lk lt Over
A parental examplc of not over in–
dulging will prevent the all too
common feeling among young
people that there is a double stan–
dard. Adults can drink to excess
and take tranquilizers, but if chil–
dren try drinking or drugs, that's
someth ing else. Who hasn't heard
an angry parent say, " How can
you do this to me?" Maybe the
May 1982
parent should turn the question
around.
Besides example, open discus–
sions and instruction are needed lO
dispel the plethora of misinforma–
tion young people receive from
their peers, alcohol advertisements,
ríes of accidents from drunk driv–
ing don't seem to have great effect
in our jaded society. Teens general–
ly feel,
" It
can't happen to me."
Still, you should make the guide–
lines on drinking and driving very
clear, letting your children know
Teens generally feel, "It can't happen to
me." Still, you should make the
guideline.s on drinking and driving very clear
...
movies and television. The unreal
images of the hard-drinking mascu–
line type and the fun, sophisticated
people who always have a drink in
their hand should be exposed for
their shallowness and the results of
overdrinking revealed.
You need to learn what your
children feel about drinking, what
lhey think about their friends who
drink and how they feel about
"beer busts" and the like. By talk–
ing about the pressures they face,
you can strengthen their resolve to
handle alcohol responsibly, because
the etfectiveness of your teaching
will ultimately be tested when they
are away from your control.
Young people expect their par–
ents to set limits, to be consistent
and to show they care. This is espe–
cially true in the dangerous area of
drinking and driving. Horror sto-
you're always willing to come pick
thern up rather than have them
ever take the chance of riding with
a drunk driver.
Probably the most important
thing of all is to spend time with
your children, helping them to
develop social, scholastic and other
skills that will prevent sorne of the
causes of alcohol abuse, such as
drinking to forget about shyness,
tension, depression or loneliness.
Take an interest in their lives (with–
out barging in or giving them the
third degree). Make their friends
welcome when they cometo visit and
get to know them in an informal,
family activity type of setting.
Your responsible example, knowl–
edge, understanding and !ove will
help your child fight the pressures
that induce millions, adult and teen
alike, to turn to drink.
o
27