Is it ever appropriate for a parent to let their kid (under 18 yrs of age) drink alcoholic beverages?

I don't think it is appropriate. I began drinking when I was 16, and really didn't understand its effects fully for years. I put myself in some stupid situations. I think it sends the message that it is ok, and it really isn't. I think a kid should know himself well before they do mind altering substances of any kind.Is it ever appropriate for a parent to let their kid (under 18 yrs of age) drink alcoholic beverages?
Compared to other industrialized nations we are actually a fairly conservative, some would even say ';puritanical';, society. In places where there are no real enforced drinking ages and drinking is a more socially normative the rates of alcoholism are actually much lower.





Personally, drinking was never a big deal in my mother's house and my siblings and I all have very socially appropriate and healthy attitudes towards drinking. It just wasn't a ';big deal';. So, I would say ';Yes, in a healthy environment where there are healthy role models and open discussion and honesty about addictions.';Is it ever appropriate for a parent to let their kid (under 18 yrs of age) drink alcoholic beverages?
As long as its one drink and with your parents then i think its fine after a certain age. My mom would let us have a glass of wine, or champagne every now and then. I think it makes it so that kids dont see alcohol as this amazing thing that your parents wouldn't allow. I think becuase of my mom letting me drink every now and that its not that big of a deal and no right of passage that i never drank much as an adult. On my 21st birthday i had two drinks. My husband on the other had was told as an child that alchol was a horrible thing and so bad for you. He went to party's some times and drank. When he turned 21 he was so excited to have one drink that was legal. So no i don't think its wrong as long as it one drink every now and then with the parents only.
Get drunk: No


Have a sip: Sure





The few responsible drinkers I know were raised in homes where their parents let them drink responsibly as teenagers.





I know a few people who seem to be totally against alcohol. And you might accuse me of being borderline this way. Why? My mom did a good job of sheltering me from it, and the only times I have really seen it were in bad situations.





But I know even more people who can't handle alcohol responsibly. They were sneaking into it as kids (under 10 years old) and many were getting drunk with their parents by the time they were 18.





Anyhow, from what I have seen - teaching kids how to drink responsibly works best. And if my daughter really wants to try something when she's like 14 or 16 years old, I will let her. But I will also remind her how letting it get out of hand messed up her dad's life. (He is alive, but he is not very involved with our family.)
My husband and I have talked and talked and talked about this one and the decision we've come to is no. There's no reason your child needs to have alcohol before they are of leagal age. When I was a young teen I would have out with my older cousins who would allow me to drink*without my parents permision, and my parents would also now and then let me have a sip of their drink, never moe than a sip. But I think it's important to set an example for your children. I can remember back on the times my parents had a few too many and it really embarassed me and made me angry and ashamed of them. As an adult looking back, I think it was really inappropriate for them to be that way in front of me, all the while telling me to never drink. So as a parent, we decided we don't want our children to ever see us that way. and if they never see us that way it will give them a little more conviction themselves. However I an not nieve and know that anything can happen and they might choose to drink when they get older before they are of legal age, and that's a bridge we will have to cross if we get to it.
I think a sip is okay here and there if it's 18 plus. In the state of Texas you can drink with your legal guardian present or if you're married and under 21. I was 20 years old *3 days before my 21st birthday* and out to dinner with my grandparents, husband, and son (he was only a few months old at that point) and the waitress refused to serve me because I wasn't old enough even though I'd been drinking occasionally since we were married (over a year prior).
Lets be fair - kids are going to drink. We can't stop them. I'm a teenager myself, and I drink.


I think the most important thing is to educate your children about the effects of alcohol, and say that they can drink on the occasion in your home, or in the home of a close friend. They may not drink in front of others who are not allowed to drink.


I recommend starting a group between your child's friends and coming up with a battle plan for alcohol. In our community it's really helped to know that we can go to one of the homes and have a beer as long as we're responsible. It's like we don't have to hide anything anymore.





Education is the key. Also, it helps if all of the parents are taking the same stance on it.


But please, I stress upon you, that if your child wants to drink, they will, and it is much safer for them to do it in your home where you can keep an eye on them.
You know there is so much debate to this literally. The face that this kids see thier friends do it, the whole peer pressure thing. It can be hard but remember you need to be there for your kids. It will come down to two things either you can be a cool parent and let them drink and be supervised or they can go behind your back.
If the parent wants to teach the child how to drink responsibly BEFORE they reach the age of legally being able to 'drink themselves to death' then yes. I think it's very appropriate.





I let my children drink under my supervision from the age of 15, so they could experiment with the effects of alcohol and learn their own limits.
I think it depends on the culture- some people drink wine quite often (and Catholics do the communion thing at mass) so it isn't a big deal for a teen to have a glass of wine with dinner or whatever. And maybe a sip of champagne on New Years or something wouldn't be a big deal, but I wouldn't offer my kid alcohol until she's of legal age.
If the child is 16/17/18, and it's a holiday or family gathering and the adults are having a little bit of wine, etc. i see no problem in letting the teenager have a little.





in fact, i think it teaches kids how to drink responsibly. my dad did this with me. on occasion when i was with him, he let me have a sip. but i knew if he was not there, alcohol was off limits. and i stuck by that rule. my aunt was an alcholic and i knew first hand that i did not want to become one.
sure, Im in the US under age and I drink Once a month or just on special days.





My parents don't care


Im muslim and Im not supposed to drink or it would be considered a sin, but since my parents smoke they have sinned to and don't give a crap.





But for a 10yr old or younger it might be considered inappropriate, unless its for dinner or something.
Sure. Give them cigarettes and let them party until dawn while you're at it. Oh, and introduce them to someone of the opposite sex and put them in a locked room together too.





No, I don't think it is. But then again, I don't think drinking alcohol ever serves a valuable purpose even if you are of legal age.
It depends on how responsible the child is, the relationship between parent and child, etc. My mom bought me my first alcoholic drink the weekend I graduated high school, and occasionally throughout time until I turned 21. I am now 23 and I might drink once a month (if that).
yes i think its ok to let a 16yr old to drink one drink on occasion so when they turn 18yrs they dont go out and binge drink which is dangerous if letting them drink when younger around adults they dont see that alcohol is not a big deal and they want need to go spastic when they turn 18


in australia they get there licence at 17 on there p and they are alowed to drive with out an adult so im scared that they will drink and drive so i want to tech them that alcohol is not a big deal they dont need to drink
I think it depends on the situation. I've heard of parents letting their kids try beer when they're young because they keep asking ... only to find that it's disgusting and they never drink again. If they're older and enjoy it, then I would say no if they live in the US. It's against the law here, and I think it's the parents' responsibility to set an example for their children of respect for our laws.
i think if they're 16 or 17 and it's christmas or new years, half a wine glass spritzed with lemonade won't kill them.





but any younger than that and i wouldn't really let them. my parents didn't let me drink unless it was a special occasion.





for example they bought a champagne bottle when i did really well in exams.





and when i was 17 i got a drink at new years.





before that? no dice lol.








*edit* browneyedgirl makes a good point. maturity's really important in this.
Hell, most of 'em drink anyways. It's better a teen learn to drink from their parents than from a friend out to have a good time. At least with their parents they can learn about limits, responsibilities with drinking and how to say enough is enough. They're going to learn somewhere else if their parents don't teach them, and that somewhere else might not be from the best source...
We were allowed at family functions to have a sip or two of wine or beer, but that's about it.





Of course as most teenagers, my sisters and I would drink with friends at parties or just the odd weekend, but our parents never purchased any alcohol for us, nor did they know about it-
If you're Irish like my family. (: Hahaha j/k.





I don't even see why it matters, unless they're driving.





But I would say it's appropriate mostly at holidays or family gatherings. As long as they don't get behind the wheel. (:
If they live in a country and culture where it is legal and acceptable I would yes it is appropriate if they decide to do so. Where I live it illegal under age 21. So I would say it is inappropriate if you live here.
Only where it's legal. At least, that's what my rule is. I'm 18 and I refuse to drink unless it's legal in the country that I'm in. I don't when when I'm in the US, but Europe and Mexico are fair game.
I'm Catholic and we have wine at Mass. Only a sip. I might let my kids have a little champagne at Christmas and New Years. My parents did that with me when I was about 15 or so. I wouldn't much earlier than that though.
Never. But sometimes you understand that the child would like to try these things. I suggest a sparkling water with canberry juice or you might go as far as letting them try non alcoholic beer. there they tasted it, done.
My mom lets me drink wine every once in a while.


It's good for the body.


But I know she wouldn't let me if She didn't think i was mature enough to handle it or was to use it irresponsibly.
I understand that is the rule in a lot of foreign country's. wine with dinner is the thing, not ';recreational';.I know my neighbors in L.A. used to make their own wine. They were from Sicily.
every person has there own option's, but i wouldn't until 18 and only 18 because we have 18 year old defending our country, if they can go to war and be willing to die for us then when they get home they can have some drinks!
Yes. Good to show them how alcohol goes with dinner and how adults use it responsibly. I often tried all sorts with my parents.
I really think it depends on the age, culture, how responsible the TEEN is. I would say 16 and older is ok, one drink!!
No. It is part of some countries culture, but the parents are watching the children , how much they drink
I don't think it is appropriate for a kid under the age of 18 to drink even if it is a sip. A parent shouldn't allow there kid to drink at a young age.