Who Should Teach your Teenager to Drink?

MIAMI - March 20, 2013 - PRLog -- Parents in Florida that are not opposed to their children learning to drink alcohol responsibly are faced with a dilemma.  Should I teach my kid to drink at home and break the law or should I forbid it and hope that when my kid does start drinking that he/she will be responsible.  It is indeed illegal for anyone under the age of 21 in the state of Florida to drink alcohol under any circumstances.  Most states have exceptions to this rule, for example, in Georgia kids have the right to drink alcohol at home with parental consent.  Please refer to the following information:

http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002591#chart2

In Florida the law is very strict.  No alcohol for anyone under 21 for any reason.

The law in Florida definitely limits a parent's ability to make their own decision regarding this matter and their may be other consequences as well.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201206/the-teen-commandments/who-should-teach-your-kid-drink

It's no secret that Universities in Florida are notorious for their underage drinking problem.  Cases like the one described in the article above definitely happen from time to time.  21 year old people with no prior drinking experience routinely die from alcohol overdoses.  For me the question is: What does a responsible and law-abiding Florida parent do?

It is important to emphasize the fact that alcohol is a legal and social acceptable DRUG for anyone over 21 and just like many other drugs you can overdose from it.  Just because it's legal and socially acceptable does not mean that it is not a dangerous substance that can have disastrous and deadly consequences, including sudden death and addiction.  Talking to your teenager about tragic examples like the one mentioned in the article above is a great way to make sure they know that when they recklessly abuse alcohol they are risking their very lives and freedom.  As a parent do no be afraid to make a big deal out of it.  It is a big deal.

By Miguel Brown

Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern

Miami Teen Counseling

http://miamiteencounseling.com