Never, i don'T even want to drink when i'll have the legal age...

No for fear that they would grow up to be one of those arrogant punk wanna-be-hard-core kids who go to parties and try to be cool just because they drink. Good job. You can consume an alochoholic beverage. Be sure to pick up your official "hard-core" sertificate when you get out of the hospital after passing out and nearly dying just to impress a buch of children who are actually stupid enough to think that someone who can drink a lot of alchohol is cool. Way to go.

No, I wouldn't. Our teenagers have 'tasted' beverages that we were drinking, but beyond that we've all agreed that they can wait until they are of legal drinking age, which is 21 here. Also, they don't like the taste of alcohol, so it's not an issue as of yet.

Yes. With my supervision, I think my child would be fine. As a responsible parent, obviously I would have bounderies, but I think if you allow a child to try alcohol before the legal limit, it stops the appeal of getting drunk build up rather than being forbidden. It worked for me, and I am by no means a drunken.

To a limit yes. The limit being a glass (or less) of something like wine, or champagne or beer. For special occasions only. Other limits would be that they would have to be in their teens. As he got older, say late teens (16+) I would allow two beers for say Super bowl Sunday, or when we have a small party. But - here's the catch, I would also curb my drinking to match, meaning I would stick with one or two beers and demonstrate through my actions moderation when it comes to drinking. I would prefer my kid to drink with me, in front of me than say having him steal beers from the fridge and "party" with other teens where I can't make certain that he limits himself.

In many cultures this is quite acceptable and doesn't seem to lead to an increase in liver disease or alcholism. (See Europe). I don't have any trouble with it if it is a normal occurance done in moderation at appropriate times (dinner for instance). Personally I don't do this because I don't drink alot and alcohol isn't a 'normal' thing being served in my house.

Yes. Well, to be specific, I would let them have "A" drink with dinner or maybe at a family gathering. I would wait until they were teenagers probably and I would never allow them to get drunk. I wouldn't make a big deal out of them having a glass of wine or one beer, though. I think making all alcohol taboo just makes them more interested in indulging in it- and probably doing so without my supervision.

No I wouldn't. I think that the legal age limit is set for a reason and I think that it should be followed. I waited until I was the legal age to drink and I think that is one of the best choices that I could have made.

I don't drink alcohol myself. I have never had a desire to try it. If I ever have children, I would train them to not want to drink alcohol as well. The certainly will not be drinking it in my presence if they are underage. ************* "Valparaiso: Is alcohol against your religion?" Yes, it is, but that is not why I choose not to drink. It was the reason for the choice in the beginning, now I choose not to drink because I see the wisdom in the policy. So, even if I did leave my religion (which is not very likely), I would still follow this policy. ************* "Valparaiso: Well not drinking at all is better then drinking too much. However I belive that moderation is a good policy with alcohol." To each their own. I am not criticizing anybody's choice. However, you can't become addicted to something that you don't consume.

THis subject was on the news last night. I have let the kids take a sip but give them a glass of wine etc...no not yet. I think there are 2 thoughts out there...1 parents think if they say only at home they will stay out of trouble. 2 parents just don't think and they start there kids in a habit that will make them partiers. I have seen both happen but the difference is I have seen a parent say in our home and really explain the reasons-to keep them out of trouble...with all the reasons! I have seen this work. Though I still think no I would not give my teens a drink. Maybe if they were at CHRISTMAS DINNER AT LIKE 19 one glass of champagne.

A small amount of wine with meals is quite common in Europe it is an introduction to drinking in moderation . You rarely see crowds of drunken teenagers on the continent of Europe

Yes I have before. He was with us and I could tell when he had enough and I told him that was good and he agreed. Now if his friends would have been there no I would not have let them drink and I hope that the parents I know would return the favor someday. Also there is an age limit here I would not let my 12 year old do it at all my step son was 16.

Yes under my supervision only when they are over 16. And only small amounts. I would teach moderation very early and lack of moderation or drinking outside of my supervision will lead to consequences.

I have never seen the reason for this. I have also heard of parents that allow their teens to have bf/gf sleep over because they would rather they have sex at home than in a car or hotel. My belief is that the harder I had to try to do something, the harder it was for me to actually do it. If my kids want to drink, smoke, have sex, they will have to sneak around just like I did and I will monitor their friends and their activities just like my parents did. I can tell you that I got into MUCH less trouble than my friends with lenient parents did. At the time, I hated my parents for being such sticklers, but when the time came to grow up , I appreciated all of those lessons that started to sink in.

Sure! Children have to drink or die of thirst! Would I allow my child to drink alcoholic beverages? Yes, I would allow them supervised samples of alcohol. They're going to be curious, and I'd rather be the one to help them nagivate that curiousity. Better me than someone else.

No, since I could get in trouble for allowing that. The only thing I might consider is allowing a child to have ONE drink with dinner, or a toast on New Year's Eve or something. Other than that, no.

Just reading the question, it says nothing about moderation or limitation. While I can see letting an older teenager sip a beverage at New Years or a wedding, The idea of letting a child share a beer while watching a game at home or during a meal seems risky. I think leaving the strong taboo against drinking in place serves a purpose. Like virginity, once the taboo is broken, it cannot be restored. There is a lot to be said for delayed gratification. You can always teach moderation to someone of legal age. I'll keep the taboo and not model selective behavior when deciding whether to break the law or not.

we are italo-australian and our children get to taste wine (if they want to), champagne and any liqueurs we are drinking, once again, if they want to. It's funny, they are grown up now, and only rarely have a full glass of wine at the table.

no way. I would make sure that they don't drink until they are of legal drinking age. I never drank until i was the legal age, and even then i was not that keen on drinking.

Yes i would as long as i controlled how much they drank and how fast. I would know that they are safe in my own home instead of out on the streets throwing there empty beer bottles through nieghbors windows or breaking into schools while drunk.

If I were 15 and answering this it would be yes. But as an adult and a parent I would think it was a very bad idea. It really does condone drinking and believe me it wouldn't stop while in your presence. Most of my friends parents in high school allowed drinking at there homes. Those kids drank everywhere and were doing drugs as well before we graduated.

no to a point. if they are under the age of 12, they would not be allowed. if they are under 16, then maybe they can have one glass of alchol with supervision. that being said, if they are over 17 i would sit them down and talk with them about what is too much. i would set ground rules. @ 18 they are free to do what they like. (i live in canada and the legal drinking age is 18) i very rarely drink. i was given a little taste when i was younger, couldn't stand it.

Nothing alcoholic! It's not just the legality, it's the biology! Young peoples brains aren't fully developed yet, and the last thing they need is an early start to the braincell culling process, because of a stupid and irresponsible parent who thinks they're being progressive by allowing their child to drink.

If they were an adult. A responsible adult. I would not want to completely shun drinking because then my "child" might become more apt to try to rebel and drink finding themselves "cool" and "such an adult". My Mom gave me a beer when I turned sixteen and I thought I was so cool.

I was raised with wine on the table. I was allowed to drink in the home but not out of it when I was underage. I made myself sick a few times and then got over it. Though I had my binges as a young person I was always careful and it ran its course. I never became a serious drinker even though drinking runs in the family on both sides.

Hell no, and if my kids want to live to see 21 they had better not take one, or at leasr they had better not let me know.

yes definatly but only because when i was 13 i got drunk fell of a wall and gave myself hyperthermia if he is allowed small quantites on an odd ocassion he wont be so tempted to drink outside with friends.

Of course. Why on earth not? In my country, the "underage" only applies to drinking in bars, which you cannot do until you are 18. You can drink in the home at any age, and enlightened parents (including mine) let their children drink in moderation when they are mature enough to (I was 15 or so).

Wow there are some strict parents on here! In Britain the legal age limit is 18 and I know not one person who waited until they were 18, with or without their parents permission. Speaking personally I come from a largely French family who believe in serving wine at meals to everyone over the age of about 10, and my mother actually tried to persuade me to drink at an age where I didn't like it! I think it is fine to allow your child one drink with their meal if they would like it after the age of 11 or 12 - few kids do like wine, and a glass isn't going to hurt and will show them it is not a big deal. Personally I would not like to see my kids getting drunk before about 16 (I think 18 is truly unrealistic) and so would not buy them a lot of alcohol or let them drink enormous amounts at home, but I am well aware that they will probably go out and do so. All a parent can realistically do is talk to their kids about it, show them that it is not a big deal and that there are downsides and a need to be cautious about alcohol.

Yes, I've had a half-glass of wine on occasion with the family on special occasions and I can't see how it could do harm. So big family dinners, Christmas etc... well, on the rare occasions alcohol was being consumed at dinner I would offer a small amount to everyone 5+. And I have no problem with people 14+ drinking supervised, provided that it is not to get drunk and that it is moderate.

At 18 I allowed our Son to take a sip, of what I was drinking, or offered him a sip of wine. At 19 I offered him a sip of some good Irish Whiskey, Bushmills, SIPPING WHISKEY, not shoot it back crap. He hasn't cared for ANY OF IT! Imagine that! He had seen commercials on TV for Mikes Hard Lemonade and expressed a desire to try that when he is of legal age. Our ex-roomie's son was sneaking out at night to go party at age 15...they no longer live with us. Our son knows I COOK with wine, and can't figure out why the FOOD tastes so good, when the wine tastes not so good at all...lmao. I would probably allow him a small glass of wine, with a special dinner/event at age 19, but he is not interested, and also thinks beer stinks. His Mother, my partner, and I don't make it a practice to drink much or often. Our son's dad, is an alcoholic. He might not drink for a month or 6 months, but if he has one...he can't handle it, gets drunk..gets dumber than usual and GETS MEAN. The son knows this, and has no wish to emulate ANY of his father's behaviors. He is mentally and emotionally leery of the whole concept of drinking for the most part, and specifically becomes annoyed at his Uncle's because THEY tend to over drink. (and that's when we generally say...gots to go now..bye, bye!)

No, I would not.

NO!

Yes because other wise if you make a big taboo/deal out of it they will automatically go behind your back or go to excess. Besides, theres no harm in an early introduction at social gatherings, then its something they take for granted

Yes, I think it's perfectly acceptable and an age-old practice. In some cultures, children are regularly given watered-down wine with dinner at family occasions, to no negative consequence. I don't see why my children would be any different. I also agree with the comments that demystifying alcohol helps dull the allure, and can actually stave off future alcohol problems once the kids are old enough to spend time outside your sphere of immediate influence. It's more important to me to cultivate good lifelong habits than to wield absolute power at every moment. I'm a goal-oriented person, and my goal in terms of my children's well-being is a long-term one.

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Quoting some others here: "In many cultures this is quite acceptable and doesn't seem [DOESN'T SEEM? SEE Germany, Russia] to lead to an increase in liver disease or alcholism. (See Europe)." Well, in other cultures, it is LEGAL to drink at a younger age. Why not just tell the kids they can smoke at home, and break other laws that you see fit? MOST of the YES answers are highly rated. THIS is what's wrong with our liberal country. It used to be if it was illegal, You may NOT- now parents think if they say OK, then the kids will have good judgement and it will BE OK. NOT SO. You honestly thik that if you allow them to drink at home, they won't go tell their friends? And they won't use that as an excuse- ie- your permission to go drink? "Young peoples brains aren't fully developed yet..." TRUE. So why would any loving parent want to give them alcohol, chemicals, or drugs -- even coffee and energy drinks aren't good for them. This is the same logic as a foster mother that said, "if you're going to smoke, you'll do it in front of me. Sat me down and taught me how to inhale correctly. Took me 14 yrs to quit. Get a grip folks- keep them clean and pure until they get out and make these adult decisions for themseves as adults!

Never. Why would you want them to even start? THEN what? If they become alcoholics, who can they blame? Too many parents are afraid to take charge, or don't know how, so they just "let" kids do what they want, or they just become their "friends". Pathetic.

I would allow my child to drink, with some friends at my house, only beer, and if the other parents gave consent first. And I would be sure to check in on them and make sure nothing too crazy is going on.

Yes, on a few occasions. I think its important to demystify things like drinking rather than forbid it in such a way as to make it seem more inticing.

No, no , no. Not ever, not any where and not for any reason. If I even so much as suspect my kids are drinking before they're 21 uninlisted or 18 inlisted and through bootcamp I will personally kill them with my bare hands. There is no such thing as proper supervision if you're letting kids do something illegal. It just leads to more trouble and teaches kids to have no respect for the law or boundries. I'm so strong on this that when they're in their teens there will be no parties till 17 and I'm dropping them off and picking them up. And of course going in and saying "Hi, ya" to the parents who had better be there. If not they're going home. I've already lost a husband, I don't need to lose a son. Especially to something so stupid.

well, I don't have any kids. However, I think I would probably let them, as it has been stated several times on here making anything taboo makes you want to do it that much more. Not making a big deal of it... Yeah, sure, go ahead,... and making it normal and common makes it less tempting to do behind mom and dads back. I am trying not to re-post what others have said. There is a certain "why not" theme that goes through my mind when someone says DON'T ever do this. Taboo may as well mean "try me". So I think any parent who says "No, never, and my kids won't" knows that they are decieving themselves. Threatening the children with "I'd better not catch you" Is basically giving them license to do so... so long as they are not caught. This is the real world. Realize that, the more you keep from them, the better the chances are they will find it out elsewhere and perhaps in not-so-great a situation. I used to take sips of my dad's OJ and vodka when I was 4. According to him, I would pick up his glass, take a sip, say "shoo daddy that's nasty!" then I would go play, come back, take another sip, tell him it was bad and then, after doing this four or five times I'd go take a nap. (Young, yes, and I am not advocating you get your 4 year old snockered.) Anyway, I don't drink alcohol hardly ever now, and even the smell of OJ makes me feel ill. (I'm 23)

Depends on the age and how much drinking you are talking about. If they are under 17 and wanted to drink I would want to find out why at such a young age they were wanting to drink. I wouldnt want my kids to ever drink really and they dont and are all grown up now. Drinking to me is no different than smoking a joint except the weed wont rot your liver and when people are stoned they arent going to go and try to drive a car and risk killing someone. If they are drinking when they are young the could easily end up being alcoholics when they are older. To each his own though , I am just glad I didnt have to worry about any of that while they were growing up.

i am 13 nd mi mum letz me drnk

yes i would cuz i would rather have them party at home where i can watch them and know what they have had. then out some were with no supervision

I think it is fine to give a tiny taste so they can see what all the hubbub is about but I certainly wouldn't go getting them trashed! Hopefully a taste will be enough to curb their curiosity when it is offered outside of the home.

No. I do not support drinking, even for people who are of legal drinking age.

No, no, a thousand times, no. First, it's illegal. What message are you giving your kids about the law? Secondly, and this is mostly on a personal level; I'm a recovering alcoholic. I can't imagine allowing my two daughters to think that there is anything cool about drinking. Getting drunk is not a rite of passage. It's a stupid, brain cell-killing waste.

no, i wouldn't, he's not over the age, no drinkin'!

Yes and no, I would use the same moderation my parents used. Since I was about 15 they would offer me a glass of wine or a beer if other people were drinking at a family party. Before that I would often get a sip of beer or wine from my mom and dad and there was always champagne on New Years Eve.

No. What lesson is taught? Disrespect for the law. To break rules is OK? There are many levels and lessons taught unintentionally when this occurs.

me yeah i see y not. i feel like i got drunk at 14 n i did it kus my momz wouldnt let me. i figure y have ur child sneaking around to get drunk with friends when she can have A drink at home n only smirnoff kus dat only has like 2 percent alchal or whateva. i feel like they gonna do it ne way so y not let them do it around u then sneaking out to do it where its not controlled n shes more likely to do something stupid. when she can b at home n have A drink n i can watch how many she drinks n what she does. its logic. kids r going to b sneaky n do what they want there rebelious. i say let kids make there own rules n see which ones r more logical n let them go by them. n as soon as she breaks her own rule than i set n my own. maybe im wrong im only 17 but my daughter is 16monthz n im already set on how im going to raise her.

the uk has a relaxed view of alcohol at home. It's only illegal to give booze to minors under the age of 5. All the laws we have apply to drinking in public places. The rest of europe also has a liberal attitude. I've always taken the view that I'd respect other parents wishes and have allowed my children to taste diluted wine on special occassions before the age of 12, allowing them undiluted drinks with meals, after the age of 12, though we don't often drink with meals. My husband and I drink once or twice a month at most. We are both from the licensing trade and have encountered many alcoholics. If teaching our children to drink only in social environments and in a responsible way is a means to avoiding binge drinking for them I'm all for it. We've also shown the young teens documentaries/er programs about alcohol abuse and discussed it with them. Education is the key. Children will be curious if there is something to be curious about. We believe in moderation in all things (except music, love and chocolate, obviously)

My first response is no,because it is illegal here. but my 19 year son has served in Iraq, defending this country, his father let him have a beer,stating that if he is old enough to serve, get injured, he is old enough to drink (legal age is 21 here), I have 3 other teenagers and will not let them drink. My son told me anyone under age is not allowed to drink on base and is severely repremanded if they are caught doing so. but he willingly accepted the beer from his father. I would never offer them any, unless they were over 21.

MAYBE WEED. BUT DRINKIN CAN CAUSE ALOCOHOLIC POISININD AND U DONT KNOW HOW UR CHILD WILL REACT TO THE LIQUOR, PHISYCHLY OR MENTALLY. WILL THEY HAVE MOOD SWINGS OR BECOME DEPRESSED. THESE ARE ALL QUESTIONS U HAVE TO ASK UR SELF AS A PARENT.

No. Because I've see to many sad cases involving young people and alcohol I would never wish it apon my kids.

Absolutely not, unless it was something like a small glass of champagne at a wedding or on New Year's. Other then those rare cases, I wouldn't

I'd draw the age line for a sip of wine at 9. That is when I first had wine. But, after age 13 I wouldn't mind sharing other kinds of liquor, and only ever a sip or two. Parents: Check your liquor often, I get away with stealing it from my parents all the time. Do not be an easy target.

I am in the middle on this one. My son has had a sip of a drink, on accident actually. Then he told me about after he had done it( at least he was honest). I occasionaly drink a rum and coke, and my son had saw that I had a glass, but he didn't know that there was alcohol in it. However, I do not encourage my kids to drink or any of that underage. Whether they want to or not. They can wait until they are 21 and legal.

I don't think that I really want to allow my child to drink, period. I come from an old fashioned background in which my parents always told me what I could and couldn't do. As I've grown up and become a parent myself, I do not feel this is the right way to raise your child, however, being able to talk and be supportive with your child is my answer to a better approach. When I was younger I wanted to do everything my parent's DIDN'T want me to do, so I think in raising my daughter when we gets to the age that she wants to try new things, that instead of being so negative about the issue, just tell her how I feel about drinking, but if she does make the choice to do so i'd rather her come to me or call me to come pick her up instead ofdrinking and driving.

no. i think that everyone should wait until the aloud drinking age. Although it might be ok every once and a while.

I think it would depend on the situation and how old the child is. At a family event such as Christmas I would allow one glass of wine with dinner but would not actively get my child "sloshed" or drunk.

To a limit yes. The limit being a glass of wine or champagne. For special occasions only. It stops them from being curious and it teaches them to be responsable.

i think i would take my mother's approach. she allowed her kids to have a very small drink at family occassions and holidays when they were 16. gradually they were all allowed to drink but not get drunk, and only at home and supervised until they were 19 or 20. then they could do what they want, but only at home until they were of age. the rule that no one is allowed to leave the house (even if they aren't driving) if they've had anything to drink at all is still in effect for life (at her house of course) ... i'm 34 and i'm still bound by this rule.

No

No drinking is still drinking and if u supervise them that could mislead them to thinking as long as anyones watching then it's ok for them to drink, since you let them.

When i was a teenager my parents let us drink with our friends, only if their parents said ok though. We werent watched like hawks to make sure we did something wrong. And when we went out to parties we didnt feel the need to drink when we could just come home and do it. As long as our parent said it was ok then we didnt feel the need to do it behind their back..it was just better that way.

I would not allow my child to drink even if I were supervising them because I would be afraid my child would acquire a taste for alcohol. I drink on some occasions and so does my husband, therefore, it is possible that my sons will like the taste.

Nope. I don't drink and won't condone it for them underage. What they do when they become of age, is up to them, but maybe I've molded them into responsible adults.

No.

yes I have and will again. I believe that it is best to train kids to drink responsibly (like in Europe)instead of making it something forbidden so that they binge drink and drive and die... There is no good reason for forbidding alchohol to anyone other then religious anti-drinking puritanism... If a person is old enough to hold a job, be a parent, join the service, die for their country, sign a contract, etc...then they are old enough to drink a beer legally...

No. They'll get plenty of opportunities without me. If you allow underage drinking you're just as responsible if they go out later, drink & drive and cause an accident. In my opinion, by allowing them to drink under your supervision, it means to them that you believe that its OK to drink, period, and that the laws against it do not pertain to you or them.

No.

hell nah

depends wha there drinking...

Yeah. I did it, so they should also be able to.

Yes, because tasting mom and dad's beer or wine takes the "cool factor" out of binge drinking or other alcohol abuse. Sharing alcohol responsibly with family teaches how to enjoy it in moderation.

hell no because if i let them and someone else offered them a drink they would think it was ok because i had let them

No, im their friend to a certain extent. parenting comes first.i believe in do as i say, not as i do. it also depends on their age, i mean are we talking a 12 yr old?

Yes. My daughter is 17 and is allowed a glass of wine on very rare occasions and only in my presence.

Personally (I still have many years until this comes along) I would rather my kids be in the house and drink. I wouldn't let it be excessive or let them leave that night. I wouldn't let anyone else's kids drink at my house without the parent being there... It's always a tough call.

yes.

Yes i would. I would rather them drink where i can keep an eye on them, that way i know they are in a safe environment. Teenagers these days if you say no will say they are stayin at a friends place when really its only an excuse. They will then sneak off to a party or jus find a local park and drink there. Now whats more safe your own home or a strangers housse where ANYTHING can happen. Of course Im against them drinking underage but if it means keeping them safe then im willing to let them.

Ummm, underage drinking is illegall and I belive if you allow your underage child to drink you are contributing to a minor and therfor could go to jail. So no, I would not. Plus don't we teach our children to obey the law, what would we be teaching them if we allowed them to do that...that it is ok to break the law? or its ok for grownups to break the law? stuff like that. There are laws for a reason, children should not drink, they are too young, their bodies are different than us older people...there are all kinds of various reasons why we shouldn't allow that.

Nope. And I would hope my child would never have the urge to drink. Granted, it will probably happen, I won't encourage it.

If I understand the question, you want to introduce your "child" to a drug which has a record of contributing to some rather serious social problems.Teach him to drink with responsibility, teach him to use a firearm with responsibility, teach him to engage in sexual activities with responsibility, and, while you're at it, you can teach him to use street drugs with responsibiilty. My suggestion is simply teach him responsibility, and that there are consequences to any act. If he learns responsibility, that he is responsible for his own conduct and responsible for the consequences of his conduct, you will have done an excellent job as a parent.

I have a 16 year old son and have let him have the odd drink with his dad and me, i would rather let him drink occasionally in our company than have him go out with his mates and get roaring drunk. As a result he knows not to go behind our back and if he is going to a party or such like, he will ask if he is allowed to take a couple of bottles of beer. He hasnt betrayed our trust so far so fingers crossed. You have to trust them and i think they will respect you for it.

I guess I'd have to say yes, because of the way I was raised. I was raised in a European family where wine and beer were the beverage of choice for dinner. Drinking alcohol wasn't this big scarey or cool thing that adults did. It was just something to drink. I didn't know anyone who over did except one party where my grandmother and uncle got a bit over the top and started singing really terrific dirty songs in French! It was great! I didn't know she knew such things! LOL!!!

Yeah probably starting junior year. I'm 19 and I've had one sip of alcohol (and that was recently when my mom gave it to me). While I'm not saying I'm in a hurry to get drunk or even drink, I do think 21 is a totally ridiculous age.

When I was a kid my folks used to mix lemon / lime soda with sweet liqeur, so I'd get a tiny taste and feel like I was included. No harm done.

I would rather have them drink at home where I can help them make the right decisions, instead of them going out and drinking at a party and driving drunk or something stupid like that.

I'm from a European background, to me it's not a big deal. I would never give alcohol to a small kid and not give them so much that they get drunk, but a small glass at the table while eating or at the limit cut with a carbonated beverage is Ok with me.

No, physically their bodies are not yet able to handle the filtering of the toxins in alchohol. That is one of the reasons that underage drinking is illegal.

no. i do not believe they need to drink at that age or any age for that matter and i dont want them to get addicted to it.

Yes my son is 17 hes a good boy hardly goes out and when he does he takes it in his own head to be in by 8pm,hes got 11 Gcses, grade B's and C's he is at college doing a 2 year diploma. So when he fancys a tin of beer while hes in his room,i allow it. I dont however agree with children of about 10 having a drink thats taking it out of all context,and the alcopops now dont help matters!

NO! That's rediculous!

Yes, but only if it was a high school graduation party of some sort.

yeah, in many countries the age limit isn't 21.. and they have far less problems with drinking and alcoholism.. its all about education.

yeah, in many countries the age limit isn't 21.. and they have far less problems with drinking and alcoholism.. its all about education.

Yes. As my parents did. Don't make a big deal out of it, and then when they become 18, they dont go out and "get hammered" everynight.

Sure. For a given value of drink, and it also depends on the age of the child. As it is, I occasionally let my sister have a bottle of (weakish) beer, and make sure I tell her allll the gruesome details when I accidentally drink too much. *grins* She hates feeling sick, so it's a fairly good deterrent, so far. I think allowing children to drink a little under supervision, particularly with food, is fairly sensible.