What influences your child's attitudes to alcohol
Dr. Andrew Rochford
Decision making is a complex process, with thousands of choices being made every day. Some are simple (coffee or tea?), whilst others are much more important and can affect others (will you break the speed limit or not?).
Who you are and who you become is defined by two major things: your genetics and your life experiences or ‘upbringing’. The combination of these creates your set of values, likes/dislikes and attitudes, which in turn affect how you make decisions.
The reason why your child’s attitude to alcohol is so important is because it will affect how they make a range of important alcohol-based decisions in the future: pace yourself or fill-up fast, drink and drive or take a taxi, drink to get drunk or drink sensibly – the list goes on and on.
Research shows that positive influences early in life helps develop responsible attitudes towards alcohol and assists in appropriate decision making in the area.
For practical strategies and expert advice select relevant age group below.