Should you drink alcoholic beverages in front of your children, or does that set a negative example?

A very intriguing study was done in England in 2007 on this very topic. According to the results of this study the teaching of responsible drinking should be coming in the form of the examples set by parents. As a matter of fact, the study goes even further to say that the teenagers that are drinking in moderation at home with their parents are much less likely to binge drink.An American parent could argue that the cultural in the UK is different that that of The United States.

Alcohol consumption is allowed at an earlier age. It's a more acceptable practice. Pubs are family friendly and having a drink of wine or beer with full parental knowledge and consent during a holiday celebration, a wedding or even dinner isn't uncommon for a young person in England.

One might even think that with such a loose attitude towards alcohol; by American standards anyhow, that there's no wonder the English are forming the opinion shown in the study I'm referring to. However, the fact of the matter is, there is more alcohol abuse among all ages; children and adults alike, in The United States than in the UK. Why?

In my opinion, it's for two reasons. 1.) Rebellion is a natural instinct for people; particularly children. When parents make any type of alcohol consumption as big of a deal as The Beatles claiming that they were more popular than Jesus Christ it makes it a pretty interesting thing to look into.

Gotta find out what all the fuss is about! And 2. ) Children are not seeing what responsibility means when it comes to drinking alcohol.

All they see is what's in the media and I don't hardly think that the message that says, "Let's get crunk" is what we need to be conveying to them. We have it all wrong. Consuming one or two glasses of wine at dinner because you enjoy it is no different than having a soda.

And if you don't make it a bigger deal than what it is, your children won't either. Having an occasional beer or any other legal drink should be seen no differently. A parent is showing what drinking responsibly truly means.

They are leading by example and being realistic enough to not make alcohol some big, scary evil that it simply is not. The parents who are teaching their children responsibility when it comes to alcohol consumption are those parents who realistically tell their children that if they are ever out at a party or anywhere else and need a ride home to call. No questions, no speeches or consequences - just a safe ride home.

Again, this is teaching responsibility! Which child is more likely to get harmed or cause harm in an automobile accident involving alcohol? The child who can call their parents or the child who feel that they don't have the option because of the lecture and consequences that will follow?

The problem is not what beverage you have in front of your children. The issues with having alcohol around your children is when you; the parent, have an alcohol problem. If a parent lacks a sense of control and responsibility it becomes an issue that will negatively impact your children.

If you are drinking to get drunk or if you are drinking to the point of no longer being able to function normally or care for your children you should absolutely avoid drinking in front of your children. You should also seek help, you have a problem. Mind you, I know there are people who have religious and moral issues with drinking.

In a situation such as that, I understand why they choose to avoid alcohol all together.

As Americans we have made many things taboo that other countries consider normal. Drinking is one of them. Italians, Greeks and other european cultures have no problem drinking in front of their children.

When we drink to excess and place our children in a position that makes them feel uncomfortable, then yes a negative outcome will occure. As with everything moderation needs to be followed .

When I was growing up, my father had a drinking problem. I saw at an early age what irresponsible drinking look like and lived through its consequences. At the same time, I also saw how other people, such as my mother and my aunts and uncles, drank responsibly.

For me at least, this sharp contrast set a clear example of what to do and what not to do. I feel that allowing children to see how adults handle adult privileges responsibly demystifies them, and makes the children, when they are grown, more responsible adults.

I don't think it's unacceptable to have a glass of wine, or a beer, or something like that in front of your children. It's about setting examples. Doing that would be setting an example of drinking moderately.

But if you're getting drunk in front of your children, that's setting the example of drinking excessively. And that's where it becomes bad. Of course, if you're against all drinking, disregard this advice!

But I'm not, so.

Having a drink with Dinner or a glass of wine or mixed drink, there is really nothing wrong with it in my opinion. When you drink excessivly that really gives a negative message to children. But seeing parents as responsible casual drinkers will actually probably produce responsible children when it comes to drinking.

People, children and adults, learn by example. If you teach your children everything in moderation and set a good example, then it is completely acceptable to drink alcohol in their presence. This also needs to be followed up with a frank discussion which should be based on the age of the child.

They are never too young to learn and honesty is always best.

Believe me around me in my family and others there are some 6 examples where this experiment has gone bad and has had a very negative effect. Drinking responsibly is better taught when they grow up a little isn't it .

Personaly I think that having a drink once and a while will not effect your children negitivly, but constantly drinking large amounts could show them that it is OK to heavily drink. Children should know that it is alright to drink in our society, but not ever drink all the time.

You've really answered your own question for the most part. Parents model behavior for children. If you drink responsibly, whether in front of your children or when with your friends or when the two of you are out for a romantic dinner (i.e.

You don't drive home drunk and trip all over the furniture when you get home or get sick in the bushes before you've even put the key in the door), your kids will get the message. Its also about context. Is responsible drinking part of the rituals of your religion?

Here I'm thinking about the wine that is part of the Catholic Mass and the Jewish Passover Seder and Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner? Children will watch you and learn that drinking wine in small quantities as part of a church, synagogue and/or family based ritual does not lead to drunkenness and possibly dangerous or illegal behavior. They will understand that this type of drinking can be spiritual and bring a family and/or community closer together.

The dollar for best answer should go to you for asking such an important question about responsible drinking.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.