MADD DEDICATES THIS REPORT TO LOUIS, SHARON, THE ENTIRE HALL FAMILY, AND TO ALL THE VICTIMS OF THE 100 PERCENT PREVENTABLE CRIMES OF DRUNK AND DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING.
Louis Mitchell Hall is our first-born child, born December 6, 1981. He taught us about unconditional love, helped us to see just how far a parent's love reaches and taught us all the true value of cherishing life. Our son was very bright in all that he did. He loved the thrill of roller hockey and life in general. Louis was a student and a technology geek who at age 26 was working in a job he loved as a computer network security specialist. On September 5, 2008, Louis sent me a text that he and his co-workers were going out after work. "I LOVE YOU," the message said, along with the comment that he would see me at home later. Little did I know this would be the last text message I would ever receive from him.
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That night two Highway Patrolmen came to my door and asked me if I had a son named Louis Hall. They proceeded to tell me about an accident. I didn't hear a word they said; I just kept asking, "Where is my son?" Eventually one of the troopers told me that he had "expired at the scene". When we received the detailed report of the crash it was shocking to learn that the accident was considered vehicular homicide. Louis was in a car driven by a co-worker and according to their boss, the group of co-workers had consumed no more than a couple of beers. I was told that Louis died instantly, a factor that has brought us little comfort. The police report disclosed the driver's blood alcohol content as .12. This has been and remains a horrible and devastating nightmare that I hope no other parent has to endure. I will never again experience that comforting hug from my first born son; a handsome, polite and respectful young man who positively impacted the lives of many people. This is our family's story now because our beloved Louis made a choice to get into a car with someone who was too drunk to be driving.
As his mother, my story now includes working with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as a Program Manager. I am passionate about speaking to parents of teens on the importance of communicating with their kids about the effects of alcohol. MADD wants to empower parents on how to have a positive impact; holding frequent and clear conversations on the topic of alcohol to prevent underage drinking. Losing a child is not something you can "move on" from, but rather learn to build your new life around. From one parent to another, I urge you to take action now; talk with your teen about the dangers and consequences of alcohol. Remind them that it is against the law for ANYONE under 21 to drink; explain to them that their decisions to drink underage or ride with someone impaired puts everyone at risk.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DRUNK OR DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING, MADD IS HERE TO HELP. CALL OUR VICTIM/SURVIVOR 24-HOUR HELP LINE 877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435)
02
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Underage Drinking: MADD Parent & Teen Perceptions Survey
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly touched each and every American family, with massive disruptions to work, school, and social routines among others. Now entering our third year of the pandemic – with many facets of American life returning to “normal,” or a “new normal” – MADD sought to check in with US Parents and their Teens on topics like alcohol and cannabis (referred to as marijuana in this report) consumption, binge drinking, and substance impaired driving. Where do Parents and Teens align, and where do opinions diverge? Where are there opportunities for greater outreach and education aimed at reducing crashes and fatalities due to impaired driving? The MADD Underaged Drinking Parent & Teen Perceptions Survey set out to answer these questions and more. Background & Methods The MADD Underaged Drinking Parent & Teen Perceptions Survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. From February 23 to March 13, 2022, a random sample of approximately 1,000 paired online interviews were conducted across the US among Parents of high school teens ages 15-18 and their Teens ages 15-18. In addition, oversamples were conducted to reach approximately n=100 paired Parent-Teen interviews in a number of key states – Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio – and approximately n=200 paired Parent-Teen interviews in California, Florida, and Texas. Data were weighted by key demographic variables, such as age and gender, region, race/ethnicity, and household income according to most recent Census data.
Key States: Arizona / Colorado / Michigan / North Carolina n=100 paired Parent-Teen interviews
n=200 paired Parent-Teen interviews Key States: California / Florida / Texas
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Key Findings
Teens are less likely to characterize certain behaviors as high risk: binge drinking and mixing alcohol and marijuana (each six percentage points lower among Teens). Teens are spot-on when it comes to how their parents feel about them engaging in impaired driving and binge drinking; anywhere from two-thirds to seven in 10 parents and teens give these behaviors a rating of “strongly disapprove.” In some other areas, teens overestimate their parents’ feelings of strong disapproval: consuming alcohol (eight percentage-point difference) and consuming marijuana (seven points). When thinking about their peer group, teens do not anticipate nearly the same degree of pushback. For instance, 72% of teens believe their parents strongly disapprove of driving while impaired, while just 48% say the same of their friends. There is a huge mismatch between parents and teens on who is most influential in teens’ decision-making around underaged drinking; just 33% of parents believe it is them, whereas 60% of teens cite their parents as having the most sway. Just 28% of parents believe that teens are most likely to access alcohol in parent homes. Half of parents speak with their children about underaged drinking a handful of times a year (39%), or never have these conversations (12%). Majorities of parents (69%) and teens (64%) report alcohol being totally “off-limits” to teens. Eight in 10 parents support the US legal drinking age (82%), while about as many teens (79%) are aware of it. There are large differences between mothers and fathers on perceptions of risk and strong disapproval of behaviors surveyed, with mothers taking a more cautious stance. This gender divide is seen among teen girls vs. boys, as well. There is a similar pattern with younger vs. older teens – both parents of 15-16 year-olds and 15- 16 year-olds surveyed tend to be more wary of underage drinking and other behaviors. Parents in California and Colorado – states where marijuana is fully legalized – sometimes view marijuana with more trepidation than those nationally. Teens in Arizona, North Carolina, and Ohio lag behind those nationwide in viewing many behaviors as high risk, suggesting an opportunity for outreach.
Parents associate impaired driving – both getting behind the wheel impaired (76%) and riding as a passenger with an impaired driver (69%) – and binge drinking (70%) as most high risk to teens.
04
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Parent & Teen Perceptions
Parents Associate Impaired Driving and Binge Drinking with Highest Risk; In Many Cases Teens are Less Likely Than Parents to View Behaviors as Risky
US parents of high school teens ages 15-18 were asked to assess the level of risk associated with a variety of behaviors, specifically the risk of teens harming themselves physically or in other ways.
Seven in 10 or more parents believe that driving while impaired or riding in the passenger seat of someone who is driving while impaired presents a “high” risk to teens (76% and 69%, respectively). Binge drinking – consuming five or more drinks in a single night – is a top concern, as well (70%). Mixing alcohol and marijuana in any form lands in the middle, with just over six in 10 (63%) parents seeing this behavior as highly risky. Alcohol and marijuana consumption on their own land at the bottom of the list, though more than four in 10 parents associate each with a high degree of risk (47% and 44%, respectively). There are modest gaps between teens and parents on viewing a number of behaviors as high risk for physical or other harm. For instance, six percentage points separate teens from parents on binge drinking and mixing alcohol and marijuana, with teens significantly less likely to view these behaviors as high risk. Four percentage points separate the two groups on driving while impaired and consuming alcohol.
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
05
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Parent & Teen Perceptions
Do Teens Understand Parents’ Stance On Behaviors? It Depends… Parents were asked to rate their approval (or disapproval) of their teenager engaging in this same set of behaviors, while teens were asked how they thought their parents would feel. Teens correctly gauge parent disapproval of driving while impaired and riding with an impaired driver, as well as binge drinking. Two-thirds or more parents and teens give ratings of strong disapproval, and the gaps between parents and teens are very small (one-to-two percentage points). By contrast, teens overestimate parent disapproval of some other behaviors. Eight percentage points separate parent and teen perceptions of consuming alcohol in any form. There is also a notable gap on consuming marijuana in any form (seven points).
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
Disapproval Recedes Among Friends When asked how their friends feel about these behaviors, the sense of strong disapproval wanes. In fact, no behavior commands a majority for “strongly disapprove.” Driving while impaired comes the closest (48%). At the other end of the spectrum, just one in four (27%) teens say their friends are strongly opposed to alcohol consumption.
06
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Parent & Teen Perceptions
Parents Vastly Underestimate Their Influence On Teens’ Decisions About Underage Drinking
When asked who has the greatest influence on teen decisions about underage drinking, parents and teens express wildly different views.
Teens credit their parents with being most important in their decision-making (60%).
Friends land in a distant second place (23%). Parents, by contrast, have this backwards: they believe teens’ friends are most impactful (45%) and put themselves in second place (33%).
Outside of these top-two influences, parents and teens are fairly aligned. Very few believe that celebrities or school carry that much weight in decisions around underaged drinking. Parents tend to over-inflate the importance of social media on teens’ decision-making.
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
07
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Parent & Teen Perceptions
Many Parents Also Miscalculate Their Role in Underage Youth Access to Alcohol
When it comes to youth under age 21 accessing alcohol, parents do not necessarily understand their role and that of other parents. Parents surveyed are most likely to blame kids’ friends (34%) – in spite of research showing that underage youth are most likely to access alcohol in parent homes (1). In fact, parent homes rank in second place (28%), followed by other adults ages 21+ buying alcohol for underaged youth (23%). Bars and restaurants, as well as liquor or grocery stores rank last (6% and 5%, respectively). One in 20 (5%) parents surveyed are simply not sure.
(1) Friese B, Grube JW, Moore RS. Youth acquisition of alcohol and drinking contexts: an in-depth look. J Drug Educ. 2013;43(4):385-403. doi:10.2190/DE.43.4.f
Half of Parents Are Talking with Their Teen About Underage Drinking a Handful of Times a Year, if Ever
Parents may be devaluing their role in preventing underage drinking – both their influence on teens’ decision-making and their ability to curb access to alcohol at home – because this topic is not being discussed enough. In fact, half of parents report discussing the potential consequences of underage drinking with their high school teen just one to three times in the past year (39%) or never (12%). By contrast, relatively few (13%) are tackling the subject 12 or more times a year as mentioned in the Power of Parents handbook.
08
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Parent & Teen Perceptions
Majority of Parents and Teens Alike Report Alcohol Being Totally “Off Limits”
When it comes to deciding whether or not to allow high school teens to consume alcohol, parents and teens share fairly similar experiences. Seven in 10 (69%) parents say they never allow their teen to consume alcohol. Just one in five (21%) say they allow it from time to time, while even fewer (9%) allow it fairly often. About two-thirds (64%) of teens say their parents have not allowed them to consume alcohol, with more having discussed the subject with their parents (36%) versus saying it has not come up (28%). The remainder of teens say their parents have allowed them to consume alcohol – mostly with them (29%) as opposed to without them (8%).
Parents
Teens
Most Parents Support the US Legal Drinking Age; Teens are Largely Aware of It When asked whether they support the US minimum legal drinking age of 21, eight in 10 (82%) parents express support. Three in 10 (31%) are strongly supportive of it. Moreover most (64%) disapprove of providing alcohol to youth under 21 on holidays or special occasions. The survey did not gauge teen’s acceptance of the legal drinking age – but rather their understanding of it. Eight in 10 (79%) were able to identify 21 as the US minimum legal drinking age.
82%
Strongly support / Support the US legal drinking age of 21
79%
Know the US legal drinking age is 21
Parents
Teens
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Focus on Parents
Large Differences Between Moms and Dads On Perceptions of Risk, Strong Disapproval, and More When it comes to attitudes towards underage drinking, there is a vast gender divide. Mothers are much more inclined than fathers to view things like impaired driving, binge drinking, and consumption of alcohol and/or marijuana as high risk to teens generally – and to express strong disapproval of their own teen engaging in these behaviors. In many cases, the differences stretch to 20 or even 30 percentage points on these measures. The narrowest gap is on viewing marijuana as high risk, where 12 percentage points separate moms from dads. Mothers differ from fathers on behaviors related to underaged drinking, as well. In fact, roughly eight in 10 (77%) mothers say they “never” allow their teen to consume alcohol – almost 20 percentage points higher than fathers (59%). Fathers are more inclined to say they allow their teens to drink “fairly often” (17% vs. 3%).
Fairly often From time to time
Never
Moms Dads
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
10
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Focus on Parents
Age and Gender of Teen Play a Role In Level of Approval and Behavior In addition to gender differences among parents, there are also varying levels of concern depending on whether parents are considering a younger versus older teen, as well as if they are thinking about their teen daughter or teen son. Parents of younger teens – those ages 15-16 – and of daughters take a more guarded stance, inclined to view all behaviors with strong disapproval. Parents of teens ages 15-16 years old take more of a hard line in “never” allowing their teen to drink alcohol. While parents of sons and daughters are roughly on par with one another in “never” allowing alcohol, parents of sons are twice as likely to allow it “fairly often” (13% vs. 6%).
Parent of a...
15-16 Year Old
17-18 Year Old
Daughter
Son
Fairly often From time to time
Never
Fairly often From time to time
Never
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
11
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Focus on Teens
Large Differences Between Teen Girls and Boys On Perceptions of Acceptance – and Often Risk, as well The gender divide seen among parents shows up among teens, as well. Teen girls are significantly more inclined than their teen boy counterparts to view impaired driving and binge drinking as high risk. Moreover, they are more likely to believe both their friends and their parents would strongly disapprove of all behaviors surveyed. The largest gender gaps pertain to level of friends’ approval of impaired driving: 15 percentage points separate teen girls and teen boys in believing their friends would strongly disapprove of both driving while impaired and riding in the vehicle of an impaired driver. Teen boys are twice as likely as teen girls to report their parents allowing them to consume alcohol without them (10% vs. 5%).
Girls Boys
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
12
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Focus on Teens
Younger Teens Are More Wary of Underage Drinking and Other Behaviors Younger teens – those ages 15-16 – tend to project a greater sense of caution around most of the behaviors surveyed. In fact, they are significantly more likely than teens ages 17-18 to see everything but consuming marijuana in any form as high risk. Younger teens are also more likely to expect strong disapproval from parents on things like alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and mixing alcohol and marijuana. By contrast, older teens ages 17-18 are twice as likely as 15-16 year-olds to report their parents allowing them to consume alcohol without them (11% vs. 5%). Notably, there are no differences by age of teen when it comes to believing their friends would strongly disapprove of the behaviors surveyed.
15-16 Year Old
17-18 Year Old
Yes, without them
Yes, with them
No, but discussed
No, never come up
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure at the 95% confidence level.
13
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
State Findings
In addition to analyzing national results, the MADD “Underaged Drinking Parent & Teen Perceptions Survey” also sought to understand the extent to which attitudes and behaviors differ based on the states in which survey participants reside. Parents in some “deep dive” states stand out for being more restrained when it comes to marijuana. For instance, California parents are above the national average in viewing marijuana consumption as high risk teen behavior (57% vs. 44%). Similarly, Colorado parents are 10 percentage points higher than those nationally in expressing strong disapproval of their teen consuming marijuana (61% vs. 51%). At the other end of the spectrum, parents in Ohio and North Carolina are over 10 points lower than parents nationally on viewing marijuana consumption as high risk to teens (27% and 30% vs. 44%). Similarly, parents in Tennessee trail the national average by 10 points on expressing strong disapproval of their teen consuming marijuana (41% vs. 51%). When it comes to alcohol, there are a few notable differences. Arizona parents are above- average on “never” allowing their teen to consume alcohol (83% vs. 69% nationally). Florida parents are more likely to express strong disapproval of underaged youth being allowed to consume alcohol on holidays or special occasions (42% vs. 30% overall). Lastly, North Carolina parents are more likely than those nationally to express strong support for the US minimum legal drinking age of 21 (44% vs. 31%).
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving
State Findings Continued...
Ntl.
AZ
CA
CO
FL
MI
NC
OH
TN
TX
Parents
n=
1013
100
182
100
197
100
102
102
100
197
% High Risk
Drive while impaired
76%
71%
73%
78%
71%
82%
68%
70%
80%
77%
Ride with an impaired driver
58%
69%
70%
65%
75%
75%
65%
66%
69%
69%
60%
Consume 5+ drinks
70%
61%
72%
74%
73%
72%
63%
74%
70%
Mix alcohol and marijuana
49%
63%
56%
65%
62%
72%
69%
55%
59%
63%
Consume alcohol
47%
42%
47%
50%
49%
44%
42%
41%
50%
48%
57%
30%
27%
Consume marijuana
44%
37%
47%
45%
40%
46%
49%
% Strongly Disapprove
Drive while impaired
71%
73%
64%
76%
63%
78%
70%
80%
74%
76%
58%
78%
Ride with an impaired driver
68%
66%
64%
63%
71%
75%
75%
72%
Consume 5+ drinks
66%
65%
63%
74%
64%
68%
70%
69%
72%
63%
Mix alcohol and marijuana
64%
63%
60%
67%
62%
61%
60%
64%
64%
70%
61%
41%
Consume marijuana
51%
50%
50%
54%
51%
42%
47%
52%
Consume alcohol
48%
43%
48%
49%
45%
41%
48%
47%
43%
50%
Differences on other key measures
83%
Never allow teens to consume alcohol
69%
68%
64%
65%
70%
64%
67%
63%
66%
Strong support for legal drinking age
44%
21%
31%
29%
31%
26%
32%
35%
22%
25%
Strong disapproval of underaged youth consuming alcohol on holidays
42%
30%
26%
24%
30%
37%
35%
37%
30%
33%
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure vs. national at the 95% confidence level. Green figure (X) - 10+ percentage points higher than National; Red figure (X) - 10+ percentage points lower than National
15
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
State Findings Continued...
Among teens, there are relatively few state differences or “stand-out” gaps versus the national average when it comes to approval of behaviors – either among teens’ friends or their parents. Instead, the biggest gaps are seen in teens’ perception of risk, where teens in many of the state “deep dives” lag behind teens nationally. For instance, Arizona teens are 10-plus percentage points lower than those nationally on seeing five-out-of-six behaviors surveyed as high risk. The same is true among North Carolina teens on three-out-of-six behaviors, while Ohio and Tennessee teens trail those nationally by at least 10 points on two-out-of-six behaviors. Teens in Ohio are significantly more likely to report their parents forbidding them from drinking alcohol, yet note that it has not been a topic of discussion in their household.
Ntl.
AZ
CA
CO
FL
MI
NC
OH
TN
TX
Teens
n=
1013
100
182
100
197
100
102
102
100
197
% High Risk
Drive while impaired
72%
56%
65%
73%
66%
74%
65%
70%
69%
67%
Ride with an impaired driver
56%
55%
66%
64%
66%
62%
61%
72%
73%
58%
50%
54%
48%
Consume 5+ drinks
64%
69%
67%
64%
65%
55%
55%
Mix alcohol and marijuana
43%
69%
57%
54%
58%
60%
49%
52%
53%
55%
33%
27%
31%
29%
Consume alcohol
43%
38%
43%
44%
51%
44%
32%
32%
23%
Consume marijuana
42%
40%
40%
46%
43%
40%
46%
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure vs. national at the 95% confidence level. Green figure (X) - 10+ percentage points higher than National; Red figure (X) - 10+ percentage points lower than National
16
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
State Findings Continued...
Ntl.
AZ
CA
CO
FL
MI
NC
OH
TN
TX
n=
1013
100
182
100
197
100
102
102
100
197
% Strongly Disapprove: Friends
Drive while impaired
48%
42%
41%
54%
45%
48%
45%
57%
55%
50%
56%
32%
Ride with an impaired driver
44%
38%
44%
44%
47%
49%
44%
45%
Consume 5+ drinks
40%
35%
43%
42%
39%
40%
37%
39%
32%
40%
Mix alcohol and marijuana
38%
34%
29%
44%
43%
40%
35%
38%
36%
38%
19%
Consume marijuana
29%
22%
25%
36%
31%
28%
29%
22%
33%
Consume alcohol
27%
26%
24%
34%
29%
26%
20%
28%
24%
33%
% Strongly Disapprove: Parents
Drive while impaired
72%
68%
63%
76%
68%
78%
72%
74%
71%
73%
Ride with an impaired driver
70%
70%
62%
74%
66%
68%
74%
75%
68%
68%
Mix alcohol and marijuana
68%
67%
64%
67%
70%
67%
69%
65%
74%
68%
79%
Consume 5+ drinks
67%
66%
63%
65%
66%
71%
73%
65%
66%
Consume marijuana
58%
54%
56%
63%
63%
59%
58%
58%
52%
55%
Consume alcohol
56%
53%
55%
57%
61%
56%
58%
47%
54%
56%
Parents Allow Alcohol?
Yes (with or w/o them, net)
35%
28%
38%
34%
41%
40%
33%
27%
33%
41%
26%
No, but discussed
36%
41%
31%
28%
27%
32%
34%
27%
33%
45%
40%
No, never came up
28%
30%
31%
37%
32%
28%
29%
26%
Underlining (X) represents a statistically higher figure vs. national at the 95% confidence level. Green figure (X) - 10+ percentage points higher than National; Red figure (X) - 10+ percentage points lower than National
17
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
MADD Underage Prevention Programs
The goals of MADD’s parent program are to influence parenting behavior to prevent underage drinking and marijuana use, maintain the 21 minimum drinking age law in all 50 states and engage new supporters to carry on MADD’s lifesaving work. A GfK Roper Youth Report showed that 74 percent of kids (8-17) said their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about drinking. Parental influence is the most important factor in helping keep teens safe. That’s why MADD began an underage drinking prevention initiative, beginning with a community-based parent program, Power of Parents, developed and launched with the national sponsorship of Nationwide Insurance. MADD has partnered with Dr. Robert Turrisi from Pennsylvania State University and adapted his handbook model to reach parents of high school and middle school aged students. The content of the handbooks is drawn from the most current scientific peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature, and preliminary evidence demonstrates benefits in reducing alcohol use. The parent handbooks developed are the cornerstone of this community-based program and available in both English and Spanish free to communities on MADD’s website and through 15- and 30-minute parent workshops facilitated by trained MADD staff, volunteers, and community partners. Visit madd.org/powerofparents to learn more.
National Presenting Sponsor of
The goals of MADD’s underage drinking prevention program are to empower youth to take a stand against underage drinking and other drug use, to never ride in a car with a substance impaired driver, maintain the 21 minimum drinking age law in all 50 states, and engage new supporters to carry on MADD’s life-saving work. Youth have more power than they might think when it comes to saying no to alcohol and other substances. Power of You(th) is one of the programs in MADD’s underage drinking prevention initiative. The Power to Take a Stand Teen Booklet and other resources were created with the latest research about underage drinking and cannabis use. These resources are designed to offer students tools to resist peer pressure and empower them to take the next step and influence their peers to make safe and smarter choices. In addition, MADD provides a presentation for middle school and high school students that is both engaging, interactive, and appropriate for classroom or auditorium settings. Upon request, MADD will send a trained and certified facilitator to our communities to facilitate these presentations and resources to students. More information can be found by visiting powerofyouth.com.
National Presenting Sponsor of
18
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:
511 E. John Carpenter Freeway Suite 700 Irving, TX 75062 877.ASK.MADD (877.275.6233) madd.org
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