Parents, Drink With Your Kids!
Published July 25, 2007
Wine has a long history. It was the preferred drink of the Greeks and Romans, and has been in existence for even longer than that. It was a necessity of everyday life, since water was dirty and made people sick. Over time, consuming wine and alcohol in general became more and more of a leisure activity. Nowadays young college students prefer hard liquor or beer over wine, considering it less alcoholic in content and more of an "older" person's drink.
However, this shouldn't be the perception. This should change. To me wine, is a sophisticated drink that needs to be appreciated by taking the time to enrich one's sense with its texture, aroma, and sensations. It teaches you the patience of drinking, and, technically, the art of socializing, but that's a different topic.
In today's media, we often read about kids becoming alcoholics before they are even of legal age. We see news of kids dying from alcohol poisoning, having alcohol-induced blackouts, and so much more. But what if there is very simple solution to all this? How bad would it be if parents taught their children how to drink from an early age? How to appreciate drinking? And what better alcohol to do this with than wine?
Let just think about this logically for a second. Parents are key in bringing about this change. If you as a parent learned the art of wine tasting and passed it on to your kids, I think there would be a positive effect on their relationship to alcohol later on in life. First, the subject of alcohol would be an open issue, with plenty of room for discussion (not that there isn't enough to talk about it as it is). With the issue out there in the open, who knows — maybe your kid will have something to say about it.
Secondly, both of you would share a passion. While reading books on wine tasting, I realized that there is so much that you can talk about. The topics range from which foods go with which wine, the fermentation process, quality, taste (believe me, for this you need an extensive vocabulary), and you can even talk about weather. After all, the weather has a huge effect on the grape harvest. Imagine the conversation as a cup of Frappucino with foam on the top — you are dipping your lips into just the foam, and you have the rest of the cup to go. But the overall effect is that you and your child become closer.
Thirdly, kids love to do things that are forbidden. So when the prohibited becomes accessible, with some control, the fun part doing the forbidden is lessened. Who knows this could become a habit, and in the end, your kids will make safer decisions. Fourthly, as I talked about before, drinking wine takes patience. I believe that when you learn this patience you apply it to all forms of alcohol consumption.
I noticed this in social situations. Beer aficionados first sniff, then taste, comment, sip again, and then spend the rest of the drink discussing it. They take their time. It's not the usual we-need-to-drink-as-much-and-as-fast-to-get-drunk party, where you know there will be that bad drunk who will kill the atmosphere in five seconds flat. Here instead the atmosphere is pleasant, relaxing, with the conversation flowing, everyone is at ease and is having a good time. I would opt for a chill atmosphere rather than a chug-a-thon any day. Lastly, while you drink you eat, and I enjoy eating. Who doesn't?
- Parents, Drink With Your Kids!
- Published: July 25, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Tastes
- Filed Under: Culture: Family and Relationships, Culture: Society, Tastes: Food and Drink
- Writer: Agnieszka Klus
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Comments on this articleComments
RE: An article published on the website of The Center of Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University states that Americans who start to drink before the age of 15 become more dependent on alcohol than those who wait till 21.
I wonder about the reliability of this study. I also wonder why it just focuses on Americans. In the end, a conclusion about the impact of alcohol must be cross cultural.
Apart from this, I have no problem with older children drinking wine with a meal, even if the wine is diluted. I would want them to learn that wine can accompany a meal, and not just exist for someone to drink to excess by itself in order to party or to get drunk. I would also try to emphasize that wine is not some special taboo thing that is kept away from (and thus a temptation to) kids.
As a fellow Illinois student, I can't help but wonder if your experiences on campus have influenced this view?
I agree wholeheartedly.
This is not a new idea. Many cultures teach their children to drink in moderation, at parties and gatherings and so forth. It works better than the "forbidden fruit" strategy.
I agree with the authors concept. I think you can go a little deeper, psychologically though.
It kind of boils down to, if you, have a healthy outlook towards drinking. It's going to reflect to them.
If you drink out of need, or always to excess, or sneak drinks, scurry after beer on Sunday morning etc., they're not going to get any good lessons from that.
On the other hand, if you have a comfortable relationship with alchohol, they'll understand without you explaining to them 'acceptable drinking practices'.
In this context you can even expose them to an occasional "binge" session. (not them... you) As long as you have the clarity of mind not to do stupid things in front of them.
The dangers of DUI should be an open topic in the household. Not just from the bodily danger of it, but special emphasis on the potential life ruining, legal facet.
Never drive over the legal limit. (They even have ways to get you when you are under the limit.)
A good rule of thumb to offer your kids: never get snockered in public, and, even if you've just had a couple, defer the driving to anyone in your group who is both capable and willing.
As for embracing the wine connosiuer culture, and transfering that to your kids, I think its a fine idea.
Although, lacking in wine sophistication, I do know a little about beer. And brewed a little. I can appreciate "subtle aroma's" and the like.
I don't know if younger people get it or not. I never did until I was over 30.
Tastes change with age as well, I think.
When I was younger, I used to like those dry white wines. Not that I ever drank a lot of wine anyway.
Now, if I drink wine, I like bolder, wetter, splashes.
Final rule of thumb: don't be a fool, and your kids probably won't fuck up. (easier said than done).
I think the embracing the family model of acceptable drinking is a critically valuable idea. I drank early and often out of some stupid rebellion and independence code. I still drink too much (30 years later).
I think if I drank casually with my family, it wouldn't be so cool to do on the side.
is this making sense?
I agree.
My parents bought me my legal first beer when i turned 18 (legal age in my country). Somehow now 2 years down the line, it doesn't appeal much to me as it probably would if they were against it.
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