As children get older the strong need to associate with their peers and in one way or another, our teens could fall head over heels in one of the many potholes that puts their lives on pause; Alcoholism. – By Stephanie Mwangi.
Teen drinking has for long been an important public health issue and global statistics dictate that approximately a quarter of high school kids (14-18 year-olds) report to school drunk or hangovered.
In the pretext of what happened in Mountain View estate, many were shocked as to how their children sneaked out of their home only to go binge drinking and partying as far as 60km away.
Face it, they are smarter than you…
Teenagers will always find a way to attend a party whether they are allowed to go or not. One or two instances in our younger years, have lied and used elaborate plans to keep the party secret instead of listening to our parents.
It’s a blessing to be allowed to go to a party and you don’t have to lie about it.
Parities often hosted at home, for obvious reasons (drinking limits and all). In this circumstances maybe one’s parent is not home and since its private property, no one will come knocking at your doors.
And when the drinking starts, teen parties become a high risk for the youth and eventually one may risk overdoing it and possibly dying.
Another risk associated with teen parties is exposure to pre marital sex. For instance, typically every home has a bed, a sofa or a comfortable place to sit on and sip that glass, oblivious of an ultimate temptation to engage in sex. According to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics, nearly 10,000 teenagers will be parents in 2021.
In the case of the 44 teens at Mountain View, used condoms indicated that already, sexual activity had taken place and most would be unprepared to handle the consequences of either; teen pregnancies, diseases and regrettably, rape.
Looking at some of the reasons as to why they drink, can easily point you to how to curb or halt their spree.
Why teenagers drink:
1. Taking risks – Since a majority of them are still exploring, many would attempt alcohol only to get a feel of what it is like.
2. Sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol.
4. Hereditary factors – For example being a child of an alcoholic or always being around alcoholics will lead you to the bottle.
5. Environmental aspects – Influence from parents’ peers who drink may get that one curious of what he thinks need to be done.
Tips to ensure safe party with your teen:
Teen parties are mostly organized to celebrate birthdays, end of exams or just a gathering and any party has a potential of getting out of hand but if you plan it earlier you can limit its chances of getting out of hand
It is also common for teenagers to become defensive and accuse you of wanting to stop the fun or feel you don’t trust them just keep calm and remain firm that the rules will be followed.
But maybe these steps will help them party responsibly.
1. Know where your child is and who they are with – Take them where they are going and pick them up don’t leave it to someone else.
2. Call host parents – Speak to them and find out about the supervision and whether alcohol will be provided or tolerated.
3. Create rules around parties early – Preferably before they start to get invited
4. Make consequences of breaking rules clear and stick to them
5. If they don’t like the rules they are most probably perfect- Reward good behaviors and modify rules when they get older
Parents are also required to remind teens that underage drinking is illegal and that they expect them not to use drugs or alcohol.
Young people are at a greater risk of alcohol related harm than adults. As the brain keeps developing into the mid-twenties, drinking alcohol as a teenager can greatly increase the risk of brain damage.
Today alcohol is widely available and aggressively promoted through society and people continue to embrace it as a normal part of growing up.
This is dangerous and needs immediate rethinking from the top office, to the lowest parent in the 21st century.
