Teenage Drinking

Eric Asimov, wine writer for the New York Times, recently wrote about the practice of introducing wine to youngsters to attempt to discourage their tendency to binge drink. As teenagers and college students. Some parents believe in teaching their offspring that wine is food, a natural partner at the dinner table, and highly enjoyable in moderation. But as pointed out by Victoria Brett, writing in the Ashland Daily Tidings, many parents and health officials are appalled by the practice and the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that giving children any alcohol is a poor parenting choice, pointing out that the substance is a neurological toxin. On the other hand, many parents consider exposure to wine educational, and in fact, Stanton Peele, psychologist and author of Addiction Proof Your Child,” sees no problem with serving young children small amounts of wine with a meal citing it is a positive experience. My youngest son, who is in his early 20s, asked me the other day if I ever get drunk tasting wine. He seemed surprised by my self-control. I think his regular exposure to wine at the dinner table since childhood, and my example, have led him to think that wine is supposed to be savored and enjoyed in moderation and I believe this important lesson will stay with him forever.