BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Beer & Brewing Forbidden Fruit - Serving Alcohol to kids

Laws in the USA have become very strict about serving alcohol to kids - even regarding traditions in which family members share in a holiday toast. When I was a kid, I began sharing in the toast at about 11 or 12 years old. It taught us to have a mature attitude when drinking, and to be responsible. In Belgium, school children are served very low alcohol beer at lunchtime, because it is believed to be more healthy than soft-drinks or sugar-rich juice. Are we over-doing it in this country? How many of you were served alcohol with the family when you were under 21? Do we make alcohol more attractive to kids by making it a "forbidden fruit"?

We ARE overdoing it.

I was served from 11-12 years old - a small amount at holidays. But throughout childhood, my dad would give me sips of his drinks. I knew before I was even in high school that I hated beer.

Fast forward to college and I didn't feel the need to party and go crazy while most of the people around me did. I don't think it was a coincidence.

I've lived in Germany. Totally different culture. I remember at Oktoberfest there was some 12-13 year old boys who went by themselves. Everyone there sort of looked after them even though they probably didn't even know the kids. People would shake their heads and smile in amusement while making sure they didn't do anything really stupid or get sick.

I think the U.S. has the wrong idea but the mentality is so ingrained, it's almost as if we need the strict laws no matter how non-ideal they are.

Dyphus is aluve and well and on the hunt. It just in never gonna be worth it stateside.

That is a good question... and I don't know. All I can think to say is that in this situation, it's best to say to your kids, "I would normally offer you a sip because it's our tradition and we don't see it as a problem, but since we need to follow the laws, we'll just have to pass for now." Something like that. I think it sends a good message, maybe???

In good 'ol Texas we can still give it to our own kids. Supposedly the law allows kids to be served if they are out with their parents, but most people don't try it (at least that I've heard of). It's just not in vogue, you know.

As I explained it to my children, I'd rather if you're going to drink you do it at my house so I know you're not out driving drunk nor choking on your own vomit somewhere. After worshiping at the porcelain throne once each, mine seem to have given up the idea that it's cool. Once that was out of the way we were able to discuss responsible and social drinking in moderation. Both seem to have taken their experience and discussion to heart. On occasion we'll have crawfish and beer they might each indulge in one or two, but that's about it. I don't keep the liquor cabinet locked and we've never had a problem with it disappearing.

Our government seems to think we need babysitting in just about every aspect of our lives. It's too bad, really, because half of the problem is not being able to learn in a safe way at an age where the message will stick so we don't have the problems later on when we can actually do more harm (in a car, bar, etc).