It expresses to the minor that it is ok to break the law, and that the rule of law and respect for authority can be disregardedI think this argument can be completely thrown out of the window, because she's assuming that the law is a federal issue in this case, whereas it's actually a state's case (or is it local? to hell if I know). In New Orleans and Louisiana, it is legally okay to drink in a private residence at 18. This includes dorms. Likewise, it is actually legally allowed for an under 18 patron to be served alcohol in a dining establishment, so long as they are with their legal guardians
( ... )
To me, that's not enough to ban wine with dinner for a child, because I see it more as a maturity type of issue. Still, I think it's a perfectly defensible position for a parent to decline to serve alcohol to the child.
I'm not saying it's not defensible for a parent to decline to serve it. I'm simply saying it's up to the parent to make the choice, and I think your friend's argument is full of illogical reasoning.
And I'm sorry, but last time I had grape juice, it tasted like sugary shit ass. Also, "suggesting... might be" are not as definite answers, either.
my personal opinion is that because 21, or 18, or whatever legal drinking age is established within a given country/state/locality is technically speaking an arbitrary age, an average of when people might be ready according to standards of culture, that it is fine to give alcohol to those under that age who might be ready for it on a personal basis. I know I was ready for alcohol around 16. I was first exposed to wine and beer in the home under controlled conditions and I turned out fine.
I would have to agree with you. My parents are very Italian which means you know about alcohol and can sample alcohol at any age BUT YOU NEVER GET DRUNK!!!!!! Drunken behavior is NOT ACCEPTABLE! EVER!
Hence my parents were never drunk and I don't drink much. I drink maybe a few times a year but alcohol puts me right to sleep so I just avoid it.
I am inclined to agree with you, The Mikey, except that I would probably refrain from giving alcohol to a VERY young child...I'd wait for them to hit 8 or 10, depending on their discretion or maturity.
To say that it is always wrong to serve alcohol to a minor, and adhere so strictly to an arbitrarily-set law, is a very uncompromising worldview. I'd say this law is also a good example of the government attempting to legislate what a parent can and cannot do with regards to childrearing...our tax dollars hard at work!
I am of the opinion that parents should drink responsibly, and if their children are interested in how the alcohol in question tastes (hopefully it's wine or beer), they should be allowed to have a sip, as long as they're at home. That's how my parents did it, and we never wanted more than a sip, because wine and beer don't taste very nice to kids.
If you don't let them try anything before they go off on their own to college or whatever, what do you think will happen? They'll probably drink too much, since they've never been exposed to that sort of thing before. As for her concerns about 'harming one's body', many things are good in moderation. She should be teaching them about moderation, not shielding them from things they're going to find out about eventually anyway.
Honestly I never was exposed to Alcohol before College and had no interest in drinking. I saw enough of my friends doing the stupid that it never once occurred to me to be a GOOD thing to do! My grandfather a cop showed me what happens when a kid drinks and drives which made me want to be the designated driver instead of ever drinking. Until I was 20 I had no desire to drink and even then I didn't have more than 3 drinks a YEAR till I was 24. Most of my High school and college friends were either the same as me or Drunks that I mothered and babysat. I find it to be more intelligent to give them all the information about what might happen and they are less likely to be interested in even trying it.
That's just because you're smarter than the average college student :)
Seriously, it was probably because your grandfather had the foresight to teach you about the consequences of drinking. I learned about those, too. I know way too many people whose parents just kind of ignored the possibility of their children getting into alcohol. So...maybe it's a good idea to do both things? Teach the kids about the bad stuff that can happen, but let them try it, so it's not a 'forbidden fruit'? I don't know...
Comments 18
Reply
To me, that's not enough to ban wine with dinner for a child, because I see it more as a maturity type of issue. Still, I think it's a perfectly defensible position for a parent to decline to serve alcohol to the child.
Reply
And I'm sorry, but last time I had grape juice, it tasted like sugary shit ass. Also, "suggesting... might be" are not as definite answers, either.
Reply
Reply
Hence my parents were never drunk and I don't drink much. I drink maybe a few times a year but alcohol puts me right to sleep so I just avoid it.
Call me your designated driver. :)
Reply
To say that it is always wrong to serve alcohol to a minor, and adhere so strictly to an arbitrarily-set law, is a very uncompromising worldview. I'd say this law is also a good example of the government attempting to legislate what a parent can and cannot do with regards to childrearing...our tax dollars hard at work!
Reply
If you don't let them try anything before they go off on their own to college or whatever, what do you think will happen? They'll probably drink too much, since they've never been exposed to that sort of thing before. As for her concerns about 'harming one's body', many things are good in moderation. She should be teaching them about moderation, not shielding them from things they're going to find out about eventually anyway.
Reply
Reply
Seriously, it was probably because your grandfather had the foresight to teach you about the consequences of drinking. I learned about those, too. I know way too many people whose parents just kind of ignored the possibility of their children getting into alcohol. So...maybe it's a good idea to do both things? Teach the kids about the bad stuff that can happen, but let them try it, so it's not a 'forbidden fruit'? I don't know...
Reply
Leave a comment