AVOIDING ASSUMPTIONS Parents sometimes hesitate to impose rules against underage drinking or even to discuss drinking with their kids. Maybe they are embarrassed or assume their son or daughter is not at risk.
ARE YOU MAKING THIS ASSUMPTION?
THE REAL FACTS:
It’s too early. My son or daughter is not interested in drinking.
According to data from a Monitoring the Future national survey, about 26% of 8th graders have tried alcohol.
My child’s friends are good kids who do not drink alcohol.
About 10% of 8th graders have drunk alcohol in the past 30 days.
Although most kids do learn about alcohol in their health classes, research shows that many important issues never get covered. School programs alone are not enough to stop youth from drinking.
My son or daughter has learned about the negative effects of alcohol in school.
At this point, my son or daughter should know better.
Unfortunately, the reality is that many young people are uninformed about how powerful a drug alcohol can be.
Leading national surveys reveal that parents are the number one source that kids turn to for important information. Parents can influence their child’s decision not to drink alcohol.
My son or daughter won’t listen to me at this point.
Research shows that involvement in sports shifts from being protective when children are very young to a high risk factor as they get older. Do not assume that because your kids participate in sports or other organized activities that they will not be exposed to pressures to drink alcohol.
We have our kids involved in sports. This keeps them off the streets.
Talking About Alcohol // Avoiding Assumptions
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