The temptation of alcohol - how to protect your child
Alcohol is part of everyday life for many adults - be it at parties or in social gatherings. Children often experience the consumption of alcoholic beverages in their social environment at an early age. In many cases, it symbolises social interaction and togetherness. Naturally, adolescents want to be part of these rituals. It is therefore only a matter of time before they have their first experiences with alcohol. And that can be problematic.
More than just a glass of wine?
Even if an occasional glass of wine seems harmless to many adults, alcohol is harmful from the very first sip. As alcohol has a proportional effect on body weight, the negative effect is even more pronounced in adolescents. Even small amounts can therefore have serious effects. While adults have a higher tolerance limit, just 0.5 per mille is enough to cause acute health problems in adolescents. In the longer term, the consumption of alcohol can also impair cognitive development, decision-making and impulse control.
The power of habit
One point that is often underestimated is the habituation effect. Children have an innate aversion to the bitter taste of alcohol. However, regular consumption - even in small quantities - can break down this natural barrier. The more often children come into contact with alcohol, the lower the inhibition threshold for future alcohol consumption. This also applies to alcoholic foods and desserts.
Alcohol consumption: seduced by the environment
For many teenagers, alcohol symbolises maturity and independence. Drinking together at parties gives them the feeling of being there and being taken seriously. Peer pressure and the desire to belong tempt many to drink more than they actually want to. An open dialogue about the effects and risks of alcohol can counteract this.
Taking responsibility
Establish clear rules and enforce them consistently. For example, prohibit your child from consuming alcoholic beverages until they have reached the legal drinking age. If you explain the reasons behind the rules in a comprehensible way, you will encourage your child to reflect on their behaviour. This will increase the likelihood that they will delay drinking alcohol for the first time of their own accord.
Show your child that social gatherings can be fun without alcohol.
Or perhaps you can at least encourage a more responsible attitude when consumption has already taken place. Show your child that social gatherings can be just as fun and fulfilling without alcoholic drinks. Reinforce your credibility by toasting with an alcohol-free cocktail or a fruity punch yourself. By consciously abstaining from alcohol, you send the important message that the focus is on having fun and socialising - not drinking. In the long term, this role model function can help your child to behave confidently and independently of peer pressure in social situations.
7 tips for everyday life
- Opt for non-alcoholic drinks in everyday situations or when dining out with friends.
- Of course, you don't have to give up alcohol completely. Ideally, you should limit consumption to occasions when your child is not present. Or you can consciously choose certain occasions for exceptions and declare these openly.
- Encourage your child's independence and self-confidence so that they can say no to alcohol later on. Also give them the feeling that they can confide in you. Try to listen actively and give them space to sort out their thoughts.
- Avoid giving your child «just a sip» to try so as not to lower their inhibitions.
- Trendy drinks such as kombucha or kefir and non-alcoholic drink alternatives should be avoided. This is because they also promote an earlier acceptance of the alcoholic flavour.
- From a health perspective, drinks labelled as alcohol-free are also questionable for children and young people. This is because the law in Switzerland allows drinks with an alcohol content of up to 0.5 per cent by volume to be labelled as «alcohol-free». This means that residual alcohol may be present despite the labelling.
- Avoid using alcohol as an ingredient when cooking. Replace small quantities with vinegar, aceto or lemon juice. Larger quantities can be replaced with water, tea, cream, milk, bouillon, syrup, fruit juice or tomato juice.
