Offering A Sip Of Alcohol To Children Poses Risks, Study Finds It Might Lead To Drinking Problems In Their Teens

Some parents might think it's harmless to let their children have a taste of alcohol. After all, a sip that dads or moms indulge on their kids might be better than having the kids' first taste of alcohol without their parents' knowledge.

A new study, however, has revealed that parents who let their children have a taste of alcohol might actually pose great risks. Experts note that such an act could lead to drinking problems when the children become teenagers.

Published on the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the study found out that children who have had a taste of alcohol before the age of 11-years-old or 12-years-old could develop alcohol dependency in high school at the rate of five times than normal. They could also likely become binge-drinkers or drunkards if they do indulge in the vice at a later age.

This propensity for alcohol isn't solely because the parents let their kids have their sip. Rather, moms and dads could be forgetting one crucial fact in initiating their kids to alcohol. "Make sure that children know when drinking alcohol is acceptable and when it is not," the study's co-author Kristina Jackson told CNN.

Therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of the message they are imparting to their kids, should they decide on giving their children a sip of alcohol. At such a young age, kids are not likely to fully grasp what one drink could lead to because they're focused on getting the satisfaction instead of learning the consequence. Hence, the experience might bring a negative impact that can manifest when they are older.

Center On Addiction cites that a similar study has looked into cases of alcohol addiction in European countries, where drinking at a young age is deemed normal and culturally acceptable. Notable is the similar conclusion that the experts have drawn out from their research, in that young kids have a different concept of what it means to "drink responsibly" or in moderation.

What do you think of the research's findings, parents? Is it acceptable in your family to let kids have a sip? Share your thoughts in the comments below!