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Parents who drink over unit guidelines more likely to impact kids' drinking

Published:  04 December, 2012

Children of parents who drink above the unit guidelines are more likely to have been drunk than those of parents who drink less, according to alcohol education charity Drinkaware.

Children of parents who drink above the unit guidelines are more likely to have been drunk than those of parents who drink less, according to alcohol education charity Drinkaware.

Reasearchers Ipsos Mori surveyed 1,433 ABC1 parents and their children (652) for Drinkaware. Almost a fifth (19%) of children whose parents drink more than government recommendations have been drunk, compared to 11% of low risk drinkers.Just over 20% also drink at least monthly, compared to 12% of the low risk group.

The research also showed that 30% of ABC1 parents in the UK are drinking above the unit guidelines and that there are links between the amount parents drink, their attitudes to children and alcohol, and their kids' drinking behaviour.

According to the research, above guideline drinking parents are more likely to think it's acceptable for parents to allow their kids to drink under the age of 16 (43% vs. 37%). They are also less likely to think their own drinking has the biggest influence on their children's attitudes to alcohol (43% vs. 54%) and more likely to think it is inevitable that a child under 16 will drink (68% vs. 58%).

Meanwhile, the majority of 10-17 year olds surveyed showed a more sensible attitude to drink. More than three quarters (77%) of 10-17 year olds think that seeing young people their age getting drunk "isn't cool" and 93% think it is not ok for someone their age to get drunk once a week. Just over one in 10 (11%) think it's ok to try getting drunk to see what it's like.

To coincide with the research, Drinkaware has published advice for parents encouraging them to talk to their children about alcohol during the Christmas party season and to be aware that their own festive drinking could have an influence on their kids. The advice, available at drinkaware.co.uk/parents, is compiled by Drinkaware's Mumtank, a group of expert mums, including Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton, TV's Dr Sarah Jarvis and parenting expert Sue Atkins.

Siobhan McCann, head of campaigns and communications at Drinkaware said: "Most parents want their children to grow up with a healthy relationship with alcohol and try to set a good example. The problem is that some parents drink above the guidelines without realising and this in turn influences their children's attitudes and behaviour.

"When it comes to alcohol, parents have the biggest influence on their children and lots of children would turn to their parents first for advice. Family gatherings during the festive season are a great opportunity to talk to your children about why people drink and the consequences of drinking to excess in an open and honest way. Parents who aren't sure what to say can get advice from experts on Drinkaware's Mumtank at drinkaware.co.uk/parents."

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