'Teach children sensible drinking'?

Any thing a parent prohibits falls under the "Adult Thing" zone, and teenagers are very eager to try them. The more strongly a thing is prohibited, the greater is the secret desire to try it out. On the other hand, if the parents introduce the kids to alcohol, it wouldn't be a mystery anymore... Further, the parent really gets to drink along with the kid and set an example as to what sensible drinking would be... You want a drink, go ask your dad to make one for you. You don't normally find people stuffing themselves with so much food that they can't move, do you??? Remove the mystery factor, and you'll prevent most teens from turning drunkards...

Teach children sensible drinking? What is the world coming to? What next - "teach children gentle mugging", "Teach children how to protect themselves with a gun or knife", "Teach children how to show zero respect" (I think the last one's on the school curriculum already!!) It's as bad as teaching children how to practice safe sex - in PRIMARY school. (Which is already happening in my area!)

I don't think it's a good idea !!! I would rather try and teach them not to touch it all !!! Let them see the pitfalls of alcohol rather than teaching them how to drink sensibly !!! I think it's a bloody crazy suggestion !!

its a v good idea thats what they do in "europe" unlike us larger louts most towns are full of drunken yobs what european cities are like that

It is true that children should have the freedom of choice on matters adults sometimes make mistakes too. But it would be a petty to let a child destroy his own liver with too much alcohol from a young age. So the best thing is to teach children what to much alcohol does to the liver, and at the same time to give them free choice on that, that is likely to solve the problem.

I agree with teaching them in that there are other benefits. Assuming their parents are willing to take them to a pub it will be the start of a social education. Not only in drinking sensibly but in being able to witness the effects on those who do not. If the parents drink then surely it is better that the children are with them rather than in the local park drinking to excess. This may also possibly temper the amount drunk by the parents themselves. My children's first experience was in a club for families and they would look forward to the experience. My view wouldn't suit all children as there are parents who simply don't care and see such an opportunity as one where they can drink and leave others to look after their children. If it is done at all it's got to be in a family and social environment where the focus is on the children.

they seriously need to make up there mind what they think is best one minute its to stop them then to teach them how to do it properly these people obviously need a reality check it doesnt matter what a parent says if there childs gonna get drunk then they will do it with or without prents consent i think its better to tell your child about the risks of drinking and try to steer them away from alcohol i for 1 wont be giving my children alcohol and if other parents do they need there heads checking

Of course its a good idea. In France they do it from a very young age and they dont have the binge drinking culture we have. As others have said anything that is banned by parents will have the child wanting it more. Teenagers rebel. If theres nothing to rebel against they wont.

When my son was about 16 & his friends came round I allowed them to have a beer (with the full consent of their parents). The result was that they didn't feel the need to skulk around drinking behind our backs. Now neither him or any of his friends goes our binge drinking & I firmly believe that it is because when alcohol is freely given by parents (in moderation obviously) the mystique goes & it ceaases to be as much fun.