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April 18, 2006

Impact of the Minimum Legal Drinking Age

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, most States lowered the drinking age in response to public pressure. When the drinking age was lowered, the number of traffic fatalities among young people increased, prompting concern that young people were traveling between States in order to drink legally.

A limited number of States in the late 1970s and early 1980s raised the minimum legal drinking age to 21. Studies in those states showed a reduction in alcohol-related traffic crashes, a leading indicator of youth drinking. The Federal Government used these studies to pass legislation that would withhold funding unless a State raised the minimum legal drinking age to 21. Now all 50 states have the legal drinking age of 21.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and you as a parent should be aware of the influence you have on your teen. While parent-child conversations about drinking are essential, talking is cheap. You also need to take concrete action to help teens resist alcohol. Research strongly shows that active, supportive involvement by parents and guardians can help teens avoid underage drinking and prevent later alcohol misuse. The message is clear. Teens still need plenty of adult supervision. Some ways to provide it :

Monitor Alcohol Use in Your Home
Connect with Other Parents
Keep Track of Your Teen's Activities
Develop Family Rules about Teen Drinking
Set a Good Example
Don't Support Teen Drinking
Help Your Child Build Healthy Friendships
Encourage Healthy Alternatives to Alcohol

For additional websites to assist you in your efforts to keep your teen drug free contact pat.giuliani@parentcorps.org and you will receive a list of websites for further support to assist you in reaching your goal.

Posted by Pat Giuliani at 2:12 PM | Comments (2291)

April 10, 2006

What's Your Style of Parenting?

The risk facing teenagers today are real. Did you know that rural and suburban teens are more likely than urban teens to have problems with alcohol or illict drugs? Did you know that even after all the warnings about imparied driving, more than half of teens report that they've ridden in cars with drivers under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. Surveys of teen shows that they want and expect their parents to play a key role in their lives. They appreciate you and they listen to you. They remember your advice even if it seems like they're not paying attention. Whether you are a single or married parent, a grandparent or other caregiver your style of parenting is molding todays teens. So, what's your parenting style? Are you strict, balanced, lenient or hands off? Check out http://www.theantidrug.com Click on "Advice", then go to " Parenting Teens" and the Parenting Style quiz will be to the right. Learn about how to make adjustments in your style for the betterment of your teen. Many of you are already doing a wonderful job in raising your teen and you might need affirmation that you are on the right path. Others of you might be struggling and need concrete ideas to help you through the teen years. Whatever your reason, check out the website and always be there for your teen.

Posted by Pat Giuliani at 4:02 PM | Comments (1)