Little tyke the tank

Do you enjoy a nice, fruity cocktail? How about a strong Jack and Coke or a cold screwdriver packed with lovely vitamin C goodness? Do you usually stop at one? Four? If this last number sounds more like you, then you have been classified into a category you may not know much about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that when a woman intakes three drinks and a man four on a “single occasion,” binge drinking has taken place. According to a 2002 study by Harvard University, 44 percent of college students are binge drinkers. A lot of first-year college students, fresh from high school and possibly a tightly disciplined home life, dive into the glorious world of vodka, rum and tequila with little to no experience and end up getting a little too crazy. Considering that 30,000 college students are treated for alcohol overdoses every year, this issue deserves more attention than it may be getting. This information makes us wonder what would happen if parents took a more proactive approach to preventing their children’s future episodes of excessive drinking and maybe even preventing alcoholism. \nOne of the best ways, in our omnipotent opinion, to alleviate this problem is to have parents introduce their children to alcohol early. Children who see their older family members drinking will have a more responsible view of alcohol and will therefore be less likely to binge drink behind their parents’ backs during high school and during their first year, or even the entire duration, of college. We’re not saying parents or guardians should host a party and let little Tommy watch Uncle Bob and his bar buddy, who stopped by for the free cheese fondue and booze, get trashed. But parents who like to drink should not be hesitant to drink – moderately, that is – in front of their kids. They also shouldn’t be against letting their kids try some for themselves. \nSome parents are letting kids take some sips, as a recent study from the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found. The study included surveys of 452 children aged 8 to 10. More parents should strive to have a healthy enough relationship with their kids that they never feel the need to sneak around anyone’s backs to get a few sips of a drink, whether it’s red wine or Coors Light.\nIf children see their parents or other family members drinking responsibly, and are maybe allowed to take a few sips here and there, it serves as a great example. Parents have an opportunity to practice what they preach while their kids’ behavior is the most malleable. If young people are raised to enjoy alcohol without bingeing on it, they will probably be less likely to jump on a drunken band wagon when their parents turn their backs ... or when they go out for their college frat party.