A new research claims that teens that live with parents who drink at home, even with just the occasional red wine, can be more susceptible to drink and drive when they reach adulthood.
Researcher Mildred Maldonado-Molina from the University of Florida’s College of Medicine says that parents should be aware that their drinking behaviors, no matter how simple they may be, can very well have a negative influence on their kids.
The study showed that at least 6% of teens who get to see their parents drink at home get involved in reported cases of driving under the influence or DUI when they turn 21, while only 2% of those whose parents don’t drink at all get into the same situation.
The researchers also looked into the influence of peers on a child’s behavior towards drinking. The peer factor becomes significant for kids whose parents don’t drink at all. Peer pressure increases the risk for DUI on kids with non-drinking parents. Yet peer factor had little impact to those whose parents are drinkers, even occasional ones, in committing the mistake against the law.
The study is published in the latest issue of the Accident Analysis and Prevention journal. The proponents of the research further explained that having both parents and friends who drink can dramatically increase the risks of minors for DUI offenses when they reach their 20’s.
Maldonado-Molina tells parents “It’s important for parents to know that their behavior has an effect not only at that developmental age when their kids are adolescents, but also on their future behavior as young adults.”
Findings from the study suggest that parents should educate their kids as early as 15 years old about the dangers of driving while intoxicated. They should also check themselves with regards to their drinking manners as they can very much influence their children’s habits and decisions later on in life.
Tags: drunk parent, parent alcohol abuse, parent drinking, teen drinking
