12 August 2009
An Australia-first study by Monash University researchers will investigate the attitudes and beliefs of parents toward their teenagers' use of alcohol and how some parents encourage their children to trial alcohol in the home.
Researcher Bernadette Ward has commissioned an on-line survey of 400 parents of teenagers aged 14 -16.
She said preliminary data from other studies indicated that parents allowed their teens to drink at home and some supplied their children with alcohol for social events.
"Our study will look at the issue more closely as we try to establish the extent to which parents support and encourage their underage teens to consume alcohol. Questions will include where the teens are allowed to consume, how often they allow their children to drink and under what circumstances," Ms Ward said.
"We know that almost half of Australian parents believe that they should teach their children to drink at home before they reach the age of 18 and the most common source of supply of alcohol to adolescents in Australia is parents, with 37 per cent of 12-17 year olds reporting that their parents gave them their last drink.
"We want to find out the factors that parents take into account when providing their teenager with alcohol. Parents do seem to understand the dangers of alcohol, with surveys showing 70 per cent of parents believe alcohol abuse among young people is a serious social issue," Ms Ward said.
"Earlier research shows the average age of initiation to a full serve of alcohol for young Australians is between 14 and 15 years of age. While there are substantially more 'sippers' amongst young children than 'drinkers' most 'sipping' is with parental approval in a family context," Ms Ward said.
Ms Ward said the most accurate predictor of teenagers future alcohol use is their current alcohol use.
"Historically it was thought that parents had little influence over their teenagers' behaviour but we now know that this is a misconception. Recent Australian research suggests that young peoples' consumption of alcohol in the family home is often sanctioned by parents who believe that it is a harmless practice or that it is beneficial in educating young people about alcohol."
"Most of the research on the role of parents in influencing teenage alcohol use is done overseas where cultural traditions and religious practices are often quite different, so it is important that we hear from Australian parents about their beliefs and practices in relation to the supply of alcohol to young people," Ms Ward said.
Parents can views the Parents and Alcohol survey online.
Bernadette Ward
can be contacted directly for interview on 0427 059 205 or contact Samantha Blair Media & Communications +61 3 9903 4841 or 0439 013 951.
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