New Texas survey shows most teens aren’t getting their information about alcohol from home, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
This fine organization says that parents need to add in a conversation about the
dangers of underage drinking with their children. They are not doing that now.
New statewide data shows that while parents are the leading influence on their children’s decisions about drinking, a majority of children are not getting the message about
the dangers of drinking alcohol from home. In a recent survey of underage Texas youth, 62 percent reported that they get their information about the dangers of alcohol from either TV or school.
Before your teens head off to school, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) encourages parents to talk with their children about alcohol using the tools provided in their Power of Parents program.
“Texas teens are not getting the message about the dangers of underage drinking from their parents.Television and schools are filling the gap, yet parents remain the number one influencer when it comes to alcohol.” said Jaime Gutierrez, MADD State Director.
“As students head back to school, this is a perfect time for parents to talk with their teens about the dangers of underage drinking. Nothing beats the positive influence of a parent.”
Underage Texas youth report that access to alcohol is as easy as ever. Many underage kids report that not only is it easy for kids their age to get alcohol, but a majority believe their peers are regularly getting drunk.
In fact, four out of five underage students (80 percent) say it’s easy to get alcohol.
At the same time, nearly 9 out of 10 (86 percent) underage students believe it is at least a somewhat common experience for their peers to get drunk.