Should You Drink with Your Kids?

[Mavtech]

Quote from rrc06 : Either way --- no one is touting the health benefits of cigarettes The big diff also is that cigarettes are ADDICTIVE via nicotine. Alcohol doesnt have that same strong response.

You're going to get some people to challenge that. So, let me help clarify. Tobacco is physically addictive. Alcohol is mentally addictive. You can drink alcohol quite often and not be addicted. If you smoke quite often, you most likely aren't going to have a choice but to become addicted.

[handyguy]

Quote from moey : Depends on where you live. Many states on private property with parental approval its legal. Assuming the parent is present a note wont do it.

On top of that your city can make it's own laws. Our does. It's stupid, they give you a larger fine for drinking in private than in public if you're underage. But also local churches serve diluted port wine to kids.

[rrc06]

Quote from Mavtech : You're going to get some people to challenge that. So, let me help clarify. Tobacco is physically addictive. Alcohol is mentally addictive. You can drink alcohol quite often and not be addicted. If you smoke quite often, you most likely aren't going to have a choice but to become addicted.

One is therefore much more addictive to the population as a whole. In addition, that drug has no known health benefits.

[Ananya]

It depends on what kind of drinking the parents are modeling for their kids, I guess. A glass of nice wine or two with dinner, and the kid is welcome to try some too, as in Europe? Or hard liquor or a six-pack every night as a way to escape the stresses of the day? That latter option sends a different message about what liquor is for, and may set them up for alcohol abuse later on.

The other issue is drinking and driving, less of a problem in Europe where underage driving is treated as a more serious problem than underage drinking, and not too many people would drink and drive.

I agree that if one is old enough to kill and die for one's country (or for that matter, while driving one's car!), one is old enough to drink legally. I actually think it would be safer for college students to drink in their dorms and on-campus than try to get themselves home after drinking off-campus.

Too many of us pay lip service to "no underage drinking" while ignoring the fact that kids do drink, both in high school and in college. A bit like avoiding having "that talk" and hoping against hope our kids are not going to have sex until they're, oh say, 30.

[darkfrog]

I had wine when I was 8 days old. Of course that was because they were about to lop of the end of my weenie.
My parents used to let me try wine when they had some with dinner. later on, liquor too but only small amounts. When I finally was old enough where there were parties and drinking outside the home, I wasn't out of control like a lot of friends were. The first time I got really toasted about 16 years old, I called my parents to come pick me up because I couldn't drive. No punishment because I did the responsible thing.

[susysitdown]

Quote from MrsCuffs : Well, I guess I'm oout here by myself because I would NEVER allow my underage child to consume alcohol and would strongly discourage it once they are out of my home. Why would anyone encourage their child to put poison in their body? Would you sit down and smoke cigarettes with your child?

Do you let your children have coke? chocolate? sugar? food additives? food dyes? There are many things that are ok if done in moderation and poison to our bodies if over-used.

[darkfrog]

Quote from susysitdown : Do you let your children have coke? chocolate? sugar? food additives? food dyes? There are many things that are ok if done in moderation and poison to our bodies if over-used.

"Everything is poison, there is poison in everything. Only the dose makes a thing not a poison."
- Paracelsus, the father of toxicology

[rrc06]

Quote from darkfrog : "Everything is poison, there is poison in everything. Only the dose makes a thing not a poison." - Paracelsus, the father of toxicology

truer words were never spoken.

Everything IS poison, even down to the food you eat. The dose [sciencedaily.com] IS what matters.

Basic breakdown of food molecules generates free radicals which are damaging to cells. Your body has natural mechanisms to take care of this, but it doesnt change the fact that the reactions still happen. Studies of mice show that the ones that are overfed have shorter lifespans.

[darkfrog]

Quote from rrc06 : truer words were never spoken. Everything IS poison, even down to the food you eat. The dose [sciencedaily.com] IS what matters. Basic breakdown of food molecules generates free radicals which are damaging to cells. Your body has natural mechanisms to take care of this, but it doesnt change the fact that the reactions still happen. Studies of mice show that the ones that are overfed have shorter lifespans.

This is a concept that many people don't get and is clouded by journalists and attorneys trying to sensationalize things for their own end. How many "poisons" were we warned about that ended up being inconsequential. Dioxin, saccharine, silicone breasts, the list goes on.

[Jhaan]

I don't like the title of your poll, OP. The word "should" is very leading.

That said, I don't have a problem with parents having a drink with their kids (assuming age appropriate and sensible amounts).

[rrc06]

Quote from Jhaan : I don't like the title of your poll, OP. The word "should" is very leading.

It's the title of the actual TIME article

[Jhaan]

Quote from rrc06 : It's the title of the actual TIME article

Hehehe. Then I'll move my fist-shaking to TIME.

[catluver]

It depends. I will set a wine glass for them at holidays and let them have some if they want to. I'll also let them toast the New Year.

But they can't throw a party and let their friends drink here.

[catluver]

Quote from Mavtech : Over in Europe, they consider moderation to be 3-4 drinks per day.

Thank God.

[darkfrog]

Quote from catluver : Thank God.

What does god have to do with it?