Is 16 Too Young To Try Alcohol? Mom's Decision Splits Opinion

A mom who allowed her 16-year-old daughter to drink wine at home has divided opinion online, as many people, including her own husband, felt she was way out of line.

In a now viral Reddit post, user u/Dazzling_Noise_8886 explained that she was drinking a glass of wine "while watching a movie" with her teen daughter, who asked to try some. Although she admits that she's usually quite strict, she "didn't think a little wine would hurt" and she poured out a glass for her daughter to enjoy too.

The mom was trying to introduce her daughter to alcohol in a safe and controlled environment, but not everyone was on board. The Redditor explained in the post that her husband was furious about his teenage daughter drinking alcohol and he instantly "lost his mind."

Explaining the husband's reaction, the Redditor shared in a comment that his family has dealt with the tragic consequences of addiction in the past, as his dad passed away from an overdose many years ago.

The post reads: "He started shouting at me, asking why the hell I let her drink alcohol underaged, and said she could easily become addicted to it. I immediately felt bad and apologized, but my husband is still p***** with me over this."

There may not be a right or wrong time to introduce a child to alcohol, but clinical psychologist Dr. Jephtha Tausig suggests that the most important factor is having an open communication when discussing the rules.

She told Newsweek: "While it could be argued that allowing children to taste or experience alcohol as older teens is best done in the safety of one's home, what is very important is that parents discuss their family's rules about this beforehand."

Tausig added that parents need to "present a united front," especially if there is any family history of addiction. If both parents are clear on what they are or aren't allowing, it's easier to help guide their children through those difficult years.

Are There Any Health Complications?

It isn't clear where the Redditor is from, but she said her father felt it was wrong to allow her to drink any wine before she was of legal age. In the United States, the legal age to consume alcohol is 21, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the growing problem of underage drinking.

A survey in 2021 revealed that 23 percent of high school students drank alcohol in the 30 days prior, while 11 percent binge drank.

The CDC suggests that youths who drink alcohol are more likely to experience issues in school, social problems, disruption of growth and increased likelihood of substance abuse.

Substance misuse and addiction physician, Dr. Olalekan Otulana, says that it's down to parents to teach children the importance of moderation, and not to pass down any negative drinking habits.

"Adolescents can be easily influenced, and there is a known correlation between parents who binge drink and the drinking behaviors of underage children," Otulana told Newsweek.

"If parents openly consume large quantities of alcohol, children are more likely to have an idealized view and develop unhealthy drinking habits themselves," he said. "This is why supervision and moderation are important for young people to avoid alcohol issues."

Although each parent will deal with the issue in their own way, teaching young people to be responsible is vital, and parents must make their teenagers aware of the risks that come with alcohol consumption.

What Was The Social Media Reaction?

Since the Reddit post was shared on November 5, it has already generated more than 13,000 votes and 6,600 comments. The issue has certainly split opinion, as some Reddit users see no issue with having one glass of wine at home, while others criticize the poster for not consulting her husband first.

One comment reads: "This is the perfect way to introduce your daughter to alcohol—it's a safe, controlled environment with people (her parent) she trusts most in the world."

Another person responded: "This is clearly a new horizon for your child and so it needs to be a joint parenting decision. Very obviously, this wasn't something you and your husband had discussed previously and already had a united stance on, so this was a parenting fail."

"This is a conversation to have with your partner, who is raising your children with you before it happens, not during," a different Redditor said.

Newsweek reached out to u/Dazzling_Noise_8886 via Reddit for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.

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