The UK government announced on 29 January, 2009 that 'Children aged under 15 should never be given alcohol, even in small quantities.' but according to UK law 'It is legal for parents to give a child over five alcohol in the home.' So where should the line be drawn? This entry will attempt to see both sides of the debate.

Binge Drinking

binge drinking is becoming more of a major problem in towns and cities across the UK. Young people drinking well over the recommended sensible drinking limits are a familiar sight across the country on Friday and Saturday nights. Some believe that the increase in 'Binge Drinking' are due to the lower prices of alcohol, others believe it is because young people are not taught how to drink sensibly. Binge drinking has also been linked to many pubs and clubs offering drinks promotions.

Ministers and doctors are worried by rising rates of binge-drinking and alcohol-related liver disease in the young and see the guideline as a necessary step in preventing people getting a taste for alcohol at too young an age.
- BBC Nwes website

Already we can see that there are mixed opinions on the reasons for 'Binge Drinking', but we know that it is making a difference.

Common Sense

Teenagers are not normally credited with having much common sense. Why then is there less of an alcohol problem in southern Europe? The answer to this one is simple. In the majority of southern European countries children are given watered down wine with their meal from a fairly young age. This teaches children and young people about the affects of alcohol and how to drink sensibly.

If we did that in the UK then We wouldn't have such a bad drinking problem.
- An h2g2 Researcher

Teaching children about alcohol in this way only works if the parents themselves know how to drink sensibly hovever.

'The perception (in Britain, anyway) seems to be that Europeans drink alcohol to enjoy it, while the British drink alcohol to get drunk.'

Public Attitudes

Public attitudes to this government advice has been greatly mixed since the recommendation was made. Sound-bytes from the general public, especially from those who would be affected by any change in the law were widely used on BBC radio stations. Here are what some of the general public had to say about the topic.

'At house parties, sitting in the corner crying and in a pool of their own sick are the kids with really strict parents who don't let them drink.'
- A member of the Public

And quotes from the BBC News website are divided over the issue.

'Teenagers shouldn't be drinking but in the real world it happens and they are going to get it elsewhere.'

'Parents can take control by taking the mystique out of it by giving them a taste and educating their children about alcohol and abuse of alcahol.

Decision Time

So maybe you are a teenager. Do you drink before you turn 15, or do you wait until you are old enough to buy your own. Parents, are you teaching your children to drink sensibly or as the BBC sound-byte, suggests, are you 'too stict'

'We have a six year old in our house, and I don't mind a glass of wine every now and then, or more often a pint. We haven't been shy about offering her a smell and a taste of the stuff. She turns her nose up, at present, because she thinks it smells bad - but she knows that it's something you can enjoy every now and then.'