Risky or Rite of Passage? Underage Drinking at Home BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM
“I would rather it be done under my roof than somewhere else.” When it comes to teens drinking under their own parents’ roofs, many parents share this same sentiment: they would much rather their teen drink around them at home than anywhere else. Other reasons behind their approval stem from removing the taboo of drinking, encouraging better habits for when they’re older, creating a safer and monitored environment while the teen is drinking, and remembering what drinking was like when “we were their age.”
While many parents approve, there are just as many parents who are against the idea, and some who are even unsure after weighing both sides. However, this controversial topic includes many sides, and it’s important to take note of what the experts recommend. WAIT, IS IT EVEN LEGAL? Often before the conversation even begins, several parents wonder if teens drinking at home is even allowed. What may come as a shock to many is that underage
consumption of alcohol is actually legal in many states, including Louisiana, when consumed in a private residence. Louisiana’s policy, which can be found in the Alcohol Policy Information System (a project of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,) also states that it is legal when consumed with a parent/ guardian or spouse present. BUT AREN’T THEY STILL DEVELOPING? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), yes, and because of this,
34 SEPTEMBER2024 | BRPARENTS.COM
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