Even though teens are drawn to alcohol, the reason can’t exactly be easily defined. Studies show that 60% of teens have had at least one drink by the age of 18.
As a parent, it can be hard to understand why your teen may be so enamored with alcohol and hard to keep them away from it.
But there are many core issues that can lead to a teen being fascinated with, and in turn consuming alcohol. Read on to learn more about those core issues and how you can influence your teen to make better decisions.
Fitting in
At an early age, kids are most concerned with the opinions of their parents. But, as a child becomes a teen, that concern will often shift to the opinions of their friends.
In order to fit in with a certain friend group or seem cool, they may drink alcohol. Whether inadvertent or direct, the peer pressure of drinking can be hard to deal with. A child might believe that if they don’t drink, they may be considered an outcast.
Dealing with stress
From grades to family problems, to friends, teens have a lot on the brain. They’re starting to grow out of the optimism of childhood and beginning to understand the stressors that come with growing up.
They may see alcohol as a viable solution to life’s problems, whether through the media or the influence people around them and choose to try it out for themselves.
The best way to help your teen through their stress is to show them healthier ways to deal with it. For example, better ways to deal with stress would be exercising or journaling.
The media
No matter where you look, alcohol use is bound to be throughout the media. Especially thanks to the rampant popularity of the internet, there are more ways than ever for alcohol companies to advertise to teenagers.
Studies show that social media has a strong influence on today’s adolescents and young people when it comes to alcohol. It’s important to be aware of the media that your teen is consuming and talk about it whenever possible.
Boredom
Simply, alcohol gives teens something to do. When their time isn’t being utilized productively, using alcohol can give teens the excitement that they aren’t getting from their everyday lives.
Additionally, using alcohol might lead them to like-minded individuals…
Continue reading the article and learn more about alcohol consumption in teens on LifeIsAnEpisode.com.
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