The average Australian kid starts drinking at 15.5 yrs. What are your thoughts on how we change this culture?

Question

The average Australian kid starts drinking at 15.5 yrs. What are your thoughts on how we change this culture?

Answer 1

I'm sixteen years old and have been drinking for about a year now. I drink at special occasions and have drinking sessions every couple of months with my good friends.

I have only ever been extremely drunk once and I will admit it was fun at the time and there were no problems, except the awful hangover.



Compared to a lot of people I know, I am practically a drinking virgin. I strongly believe that changing the law will not stop teenage drinking, I know it won't stop me for sure. But what I do know is that alcohol consumption can be controlled in other ways and for some reason I think setting an age limit is making the problem worse...if there were no limits, where is the risk-taking, law-breaking feeling that on gets when consuming it? There is no thrill in doing something you know is okay and allowed. People get off on doing all the wrong things, simply to know that they have stepped outside of society's control and feel beyond everyone else, and the law.



I'm simply stating the truth here, not saying that alcohol is the best thing in life but it certainly is a fact of life. There has been no problems with me, because my friends and I knew our s**t and had responsible people around us at the time.



My thoughts? Don't change the culture because it is going to become far, far worse if its completely stamped on.

Answer 2

False! The average Australian kid starts drinking alcohol at Christmas time from a very early age and becomes alcoholic long before 15.5 years because Australians are alcoholic.



Australian Law recognises drinking as a crime only to make more revenue from alcohol under "drink-driving" and this alone speaks about the alcoholic culture.



To change this culture Australia must become Muslim and live under the Law of the Quran and this will happen sooner than expected, so watch it happen.



Allahuakbarr!

Answer 3

Is it legal? My guess is that if it is, one way to start would be a PSA blitz about the ill effects of alcohol on still-developing teen bodies, but don't make it clinical. accentuate the sexual and other side effects that teens would not want to have happen to them, that alcohol can have and that would be a good start. Then, emphasize how drinking is an "adult" thing because most adults have learned to moderate their drinking. not all have, but emphasize that just because not all adults do it, doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do. Help then realize that you understand they feel grown up right now, but that they're not, that they need to wait until they can handle it responsibly, that some people at 21 still have trouble with alcohol, and that it isn't for everyone. Also, there are other ways to have fun at parties besides drinking, and wouldn't you rather remember the good time you had at a party, than to figure you had a good time because you can't remember it? That would be a way to handle it.



I had another thought; take the "forbidden" aspect of it out by lowering drinking ages. If suddenly it wasn;t forbidden anymore, maybe it wouldn't be so "cool" to teenagers. After all, teens live to rebel. If drinking was suddenly not illegal for them, perhaps they'd find a less dangerous way to do it.

Answer 4

Nothing can be done.



The more restrictions that are placed, the more teens are going to want to try it.



Also, you place any further restrictions on this, or increase the age limits, youll soon find that older people who are looking to make a few extra dollars are going to be supplying to younger teens and making money off them.



The problem with the Australian government is it illegalises everything. A person can be a criminal for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING these days.



They place restrictions on everything to the point where we may as well be zombies who need to be told when to go to the toilet.



You could attempt to ban alcohol altogether (similar to how they do with drugs) but what you'll find then is an underground black market, like the ones you can find in countries such as Iran where alcohol is banned.



We're humans. We're not robots. We have drives, we have instincts, we have needs and most of all were extremely curious creatures.



We can educate children, we can educate ourselves, but just because we are aware of the negative consequences of something does not mean we wont still want to try it.



If we were robots, it would be great. Switch off the button and stop the urges.



Especially when you live in a country which is known for it's lunch times at the pub and where beer is advertised as a currency of its own, you can not expect young teenagers to then say "Oh okay, hey beer is advertised every 2 minutes, but that's right I wont have any, because it's bad for me".



The only thing I think could work is parents learn to accept that it is part of human nature to be curious, especially considering the era we are living in where kids are growing up alot faster... And try to allow their children to do so under supervised conditions.



I was 13 when I first had my drink, and no I am not saying it is a great thing, but I am not an alcoholic either. I have never had alcohol poisoning, I have never been hospitalised, I have never been drink driving, I have never gotten into any fights, and that's because my parents understood my curiosity as a growing teenager and allowed me to drink very little amounts under supervision, I am a full time student who has a full time job and I think I function perfectly fine and live a very healthy life.



It depends on too many factors. Not every child will react the same to alcohol exposure. Not everyone will like it. Some kids are easily manipulated and pressured by peers whereas others are mature and independent. It's life. People need to accept this rather than fighting it and makign it a bigger deal than it is, because that's only increasing curiosity amongst our youth.

Answer 5

It's up to the parents discussing it with their kids and not necissarily trying sheild them from it. I had my first beer at 15, but since then (I'm 18 now) I have only consumed alcohol at around 20-25 parties. And probably around 8 of those I was pretty drunk.



So long as it's not consistant, like every weekend, I don't think it should be that big of an issue. Most of the brilliant and smartest kids in my school drink. 15.5 is a wee bit young, it should be more like 16.5 years.



So yeah, I don't know if this helps, but I'm not going to let my kids drink more than one beer till within a month of their 18th birthday, and I'm not going to let them even sip it until they're at least 16.

Answer 6

I don't think you can change it, i just went to america (im 22) and asked some friends i made over there when they started drinking (everyone i knew in my year was 15 definitely) and they said the same age! i thought having their legal drinking age being 21 not 18 would change that but it doesn't at all!!



It's just what teenagers do, not all of them, but a lot of them. it's fun for them and what experience is all about when growing up. They generally aren't drinking everynight, it's one night on a weekend and usually around 4 drinks



I think lowering the price of premixed drinks back to what it was SHOULD happen. It's cheaper to buy a bottle of vodka which teens are resorting too and they are getting more wasted. that was the worst move by the government i've ever seen, you need young people helping you guys out for this, not (no offence) old 'mature' idealistic people thinking it needs to come to a complete stop. It needs to slow down, but you won't ever be able to change it completely.

Answer 7

Under-aged drinking has been around since they invented alcohol. I doubt that there is anything that will deter young people from drinking. It's not that all teenagers drink alcohol and it should be made clear that though it is a widespread problem , it does not apply to all teenagers.



Many teenagers do experiment, for fun, but that does not mean they are teenage alcoholics. It also does not mean they will develop brain damage, either. It is only those teenagers that drink excessively, binge-drink, or mix drinks.



Teens that rely on being drunk to be sociable are just taking lessons from their parents or adults they have seen. I think that Adults are the culprits and the teenagers are the victims.



The only way to stop such a growing culture is not to portray alcohol as a "party" drink but as a beverage to be taken with meals and at sociable events.

Answer 8

Honestly, I am a 15 going on 16 year old and all of my friends have been drinking since 13 or 14. I started drinking for maybe a year and then stopped, not because of my morals or because of what the law in Australia was, but purely because its just not how I was raised. My mum always gave me a glass of wine mixed with coke so when I turned 18 I wouldn't go overboard with alcohol but Im just not attracted to it, nothing makes me want to drink and when I'm at parties I am 100% fine to look after people. The fact is that we cannot change this in Australia, when such a huge thing like drinking is part of the culture it's almost impossible to drink. Aussie parents allow their teenage sons and daughters to drink because they want to pass on that culture and understanding.

Answer 9

i dont see what all the fuss is about. I drank at home with my parents from a very young age. Only a sip or two of dads beer on a warm night, or some light white wine at a bbq. It was never seen as anything bad when i was growing up, so it was not taboo as a teenager. Sure, I did go out and get blotto with my friends, but that was just normal teenage behaviour.

I am nearly 50 years old, have a high IQ, and a high level job in my company.

Never tried pot, cigarettes or anything harder.

Still enjoy a glass or two a few nights a week, but havent had a hangover, or got rolling drunk for more than 15years.

Answer 10

1) Upbringing and education regarding drinking and illicit drugs actually starts by the time a child is two or three years old, and is the parents' job. Once a kid is a teenager, she will already have decided what she will do when offered an alcoholic drink or drugs. If you wait until that age, you've already missed your window of opportunity.



2) To start anti drug and alcohol regimen with small children, parents need to begin by not exhibiting these behaviors themselves. WOW. a shocker, I realize, but nonetheless, ultimately the main reason kids drink or do drugs is because of the poor or non-existent example set by their own parents.



3) Be consistent in discipline, and talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. , I've found that an open discussion about such things has been the most effective. If a kid has questions, answer them truthfully. Do not lie to your kids.



4) Always tell your kids that if they feel pressured to drink, they can say their parents would be upset, or mad....(which actually should be the truth!)



5) From an early age, every child's action should correspond to a consequence. If she uses drugs or alcohol, she should receive a consequence. In other words, if she's breaking your rules, she should not be rewarded at any time! A quick example of this would be: if a 4 year old screams and throws a fit because you haven't bought him every army action figure at the grocery store after you told him he couldn't have a new toy today, then after he's thrown his fit, he shouldn't be given toys or balloons to placate his behavior. He should lose a privilege, something he actually likes!



6) Following rule #5, once a kid reaches that stage where he thinks he should be drinking, if he does, he'll already know he's in for a HUGE consequence. Furthermore, he'll think twice before he does it! On the other hand, if he still makes a mistake and decides to start drinking alcohol, then you will have no choice but to give him an appropriate consequence. Anything that will cause him to think about his decision will be the best solution. Cleaning at a half-way house or somewhere that folks end up (even jail) would be a possible option for this kid's consequence.



7) Do not bail this kid out if he is thrown in jail for his mistaken choice. He needs to reap what he has sewn Too often these days, parents feel they need to pay (either financially or psychologically) for their children's mistakes. This is wrong, and doesn't have any lasting effect on the kid. It is the most detrimental thing you can do.

Answer 11

When it comes to alcohol I don't think age is the issue, it's responsibility. I would rather a 15 year old having a few drinks at home with parental supervision than an 18 year old running amock at clubs and getting into fights or drink driving. More restrictions on underage drinking will not stop misbehaviour and problems caused by legal drinkers. Educating people of all ages about the effects of alcohol and how to drink and behave safely, as well as more police presence around nightclubs, bars, and neighbourhoods that tend to have large house parties will help curb bad behaviour.

Answer 12

I had my first 'sneak in the pub' drinks at 16.

Nearly 50 now and no problem with alchohol, 6 beers is about a years supply for me!

If it had been legal to drink alcohol at any age i don't think i would have even done the sneaking into the pub. Always allowed to have a small bit of beer or alcholic drink at home when kids. None of my siblings have any issues with alcohol at all either.

European background, alcohol was part of Eating/Meals so not really veiwed as a leisure activity for socializing or to get drunk. Basically you stop eating and you stop drinking (and there is only so much you can stuff down of mums cooking).... there is a start and a finish to the amount you consume and its pretty clear. Drinking was modelled to me and i model it to my kids as an accompiant to eating never to 'relax' or change personality or to become socially acceptable.

So get them drinking small amounts earlier is the best way to change the culture of kids not being exposed to alchohol until they are at the age when rebelliousness and testing boundaries kicks in.

Answer 13

One of the things I was a bit appalled at as a Canadian who lived and worked in Australia for a few years was that kiddies put out cookies and beer for Santa Claus. That starts teaching kids at a very early age that it's acceptable. You show graphic TAC drink/drive commercials but it's ok for Santa to drink/fly?? Beer/alcohol commercials on TV were banned years ago in Canada but some of the ones I saw when I was there were actually very funny and that again, is promoting alcohol. I have done a lot of travelling and I have never seen a culture that drinks as much. If kids are being raised in this, it is going to be a normal thing for them. You change things by beginning with the root of the problem.....the parents!

Answer 14

Kids will always experiment. Most of them have jobs now and can afford to spend money on alcopops so putting the cost up does not matter, same as putting up the age. Education is the key here, explain how the liver works and the brain. Not just saying it will do damage to your liver but actually explaining how the liver works and what happens when it's overloaded with alcohol. How alcohol puts weight on and this also damages your body and puts you more at risk of strokes and heart attacks. Kids need to know that this stuff is happening a lot earlier in life then in previous era's because of their lifestyles. Don't just say it will stuff up your body, explain in detail how it will stuff it up. Give them tips on how not to get so drunk such as making sure you have plenty of water before you start drinking on hot days and eating food to absorb the alcohol. Knowledge is power.



Give them a scenario such as you wake up and you are in a hospital, you don't know how you got there and you can't remember anything. You are injured from a fight and have had your stomach pumped, explain to them the process of how this is done. You have had sex but you can't remember it and you now have herpes which is incurable. You got arrested last night for indecent exposure and causing a disturbance, as you are over 18 this will be on your record for life. So when you go for a job and have a police check, this will always be on your police check. If you later in life decide to go for an important job this may go against you.



Ask them if they would get blotto if this was the outcome.

Answer 15

When I was 15 and had my first drink do you really think I cared what the government or health groups said about the dangers of alcohol? If anything it made it even more appealing, because it felt like I was taking a risk. I had my share of boozy nights as a teen but that all changed once I got my drivers licence. Im now 28 and rarely drink at all. Responsible parents who educate but also allow a limited amount of experimentation under supervision tend to produce responsible young adults.

Answer 16

I started drinking at 11. I was first totally flat out drunk at 13. It starts at home, I prefer to not drink at all in front of our children, and if I do it is just a glass of wine with dinner, if we have friends over for drinks or if we have a party then the children are not home, they will be at a freinds house or grandparents house. Children copy what they see. We are their biggest role models. It should be cheaper to drink in bars where drinking is more monitered, and more expensive to buy bulk from liqour stores. No alcohol should be available at the supermarket. We should keep our spirits locked up, I often found I could take whole bottles of spirits from our parents alcohol cabinet and no one would be the wiser (the 6 year aged whisky going dusty at the back of the cabinet) do parents monotor their spirit cabinet at home? Finally we have sex ed, why not booze ed? I knew nothing about alcohol poisening, only that when you drink too much you coma out and wake up the next day feeling very ill. I had no idea I could coma out and never wake up! I was 13 when I first comatosed from alcohol.

Answer 17

I did answer similar question week ago, so I'll use my old answer.



First of all. We can't change it. Not by rising the price of the premixed alcopops or the alcohol in whole. Not by wasting millions in useless advertising. Nobody cares!



Did you forget how did you felt about adults and authorities being a teenager. You maybe did - but I didn't and I am just over 40 years old.



I am strongly against teenage drinking as it often slide to the binge-drinking and violence.



But, if my kids do have a party and them and their friends do like to have some reasonable (and I mean reasonable) amount of alcohol - I will provide it for them, if they over 15 years of age.



It is in my house, under my supervision and with permission from the parents of kids involved.

I also provide the taxi for the departing guest or drive them to their homes my self.



It is totally legal this way and if some silly neighbour will complain, the cops can't even enter your property if you don't invite them in.



So tell me, what is wrong with that?

Answer 18

I was out the bank drinking with my parents from 15, only one or two here and there and only under their supervision. It was great because when I did turn 18, or when even younger my friends would do the 'taboo' thing of drinking at school or when adults weren't looking, I just wasn't interested. My parents had taught me that two to three drinks is enough. They taught me how dangerous sugary premixed drinks could be, how to drink spirits etc. So my opinion is education is the key and it starts at home. Parents that don't allow their children any exposure to alcohol, especially in late and mid teens, do more harm then good.

Answer 19

You literally cannot change this. No matter what the goverment and people say, children and young teenagers will alwayds drink underage. Its not the parents fault, but if children see alcohol they are wondering and tempting to drink it and see what the effects are and feel 'drunk'.

Im a teenager myself, and i admit i drank alchol a few times while i was underage, i even went into local bars/clubs at the age of 17.

Getting alchol is literally the easiest thing to get. All they have to do, is sit at shops and ask people to go in for them, and you will be suprised how many people actually do.

I think children will grow out of it as they mature. I drank a few times and then thought, its chavy and horrible.

Answer 20

15.5 years isn't that bad considering I have high school students who have had sex around age 13, drinking at about the same age, and teens having babies anywhere from age 13-18. This year, I have about 3 pregnant girls in my classes. I would wager to say if they're having sex, they're also drinking young as well. I would attribute this to dysfunctional families and weak familiar stuctures. Poor reinforcement of values.



Before school started this year there was a carnival down the street from the school and while I sat at our h.s. booth I saw students walking into convenience stores buying beer. Police would see them and they would chug it, drop the can, and run off. Stores that sell alcohol have little supervision.

Answer 21

My son has just turned 16 and he asked me what I thought about 15 / 16 year olds drinking and this is what I said to him. I couldn't care less if he wants to have a drink but at home but don't go over board. Mid teens brains are still developing and alcohol kills brain cells. I use to work in a place where I saw 15/ 16 year olds drinking and drunk all the time and they use to cause so much trouble. Cause they couldn't handle the alcohol personally I think there should be tougher laws on under age drinking if they are drinking and reaping havoc around the streets. but like I said it should be fine for them to have a drink at home.

Answer 22

w drinks at home with parental supervision than an 18 year old running amock at clubs and getting into fights or drink driving. More restrictions on underage drinking will not stop misbehaviour and problems caused by legal drinkers. Educating people of all ages about the effects of alcohol and how to drink and behave safely, as well as more police presence a

Answer 23

tal supervision than an 18 year old running amock at clubs and getting into fights or drink driving. More restrictions on underage drinking will not stop misbehaviour and problems caused by legal drinkers. Educating people of all ages about the effects of alcohol and how to drink and behave safely, as well as more police presence around nightclubs, bars, and neighbourhoods that tend to have large house parties will help curb bad behaviour.

Answer 24

I think that my answer could upset a few people

I have been through the whole alcohol thing from tender age of ten and as I got older,I went

through just about every downfall there is associated with alcohol,even to the stage where if I

thought the liquid contained alcohol,I would drink it

And by the courts,i have been declared a chronic alcoholic,but now I have been dry for 12 years!

But my belief is because I have been through, it is to ban alcohol altogether...both for children and

adults alike

Alcohol is worse than illegal drugs and to make it worse: alcohol is legal

Answer 25

it's a culture thing drinking same as here in the UK there is even a strange law where some one can drink at a very young age if it's in the house and the police can not stop them america is not a big fan of alcohol that's why less people start young not to say they don't.

Answer 26

In the past, Australian children received milk at recess. Perhaps if we provided them with beer instead it might help to lower that average age at which Australian children start drinking and thereby change this culture.

Answer 27

acknowledge drinking is part of life. embrace it and bring it back into our culture. bring alcohol back to the family. have the kids growing up drinking with their mom and dad. let mom and dad teach em how to drink responsibly. dont deprive them until their crazy mad and unleash them on a college campus and expect them to be experts at drinking. we should model what works. who is doin it the best, and we just copy them. where is their the least underage drinking problems in the world? well ill be, its italy, where mom and dad have raised their kids on wine at the dinner table ever night, and every occasion. these kids are drinking experts(thanks mom and dad). do they go crazy for a drink, nope, its no big deal to em. this whole crazyness where we should forbid drinking and age limits does not work. obviously. take a look at all the coultures that are the most repressed and you will find the most deviance and abuse. we need to quit wusifying our nation. we used to be a very masculine nation, at one point we needed a little more femininity, but we've gone way overboard. We need to right this ship. I think we could use just a pinch more masculinity in this nation. I mean when i was growin up a kid could ride a bike with out his mom puttin on his hockey gear and strappin a mattress tot he front of his bike. Geez louis let the kid fall down and learn. skinned knees are the best part of growin up. Kids these days will never have the pleasure of picking a scab, and that is just sad.

Answer 28

I started drinking at that age. I am 22 and I admit I binge drink every weekend, I do not like it but when the weekend comes around I just cant help it, its almost like its programmed in me.

If you look at Italian culture you have kids drinking wine at a very young age at the dinner table and they definitely do not have a huge binge drinking culture like us Aussies do.

I think there is more to it than the age you start but i dont know what it is.

Answer 29

I think the binge drinking culture needs to be drinking not the drinking or age specifically itself...



Drinking at an early age is supposed to cause many problems, however it seems more problematic when whatever age binge drink in the "drink to get drunk" and the culture that goes with that (violence etc).



Not really sure how to fix it. In come cases parents are supplying the alcohol, in other cases older siblings or older kids in their "peer" circle etc.

Answer 30

The average Irish kid starts drinking at 15.5 years too.My 1st kid started drinking when he was 15.He started becoming an alcoholic.My 2nd kid saw my 1st going to alcoholics annoymous.He did not drink until he was 16.

Answer 31

I would let the children know that this action is only going to do them harm and as they grow older there will be no one that will be really interested enough to call them a true trustworthy friend.

My son was starting a pattern of drinking with a few older boys and I took him to different sport venues and asked him what he liked and which one be would really love to be apart of .

I got his answer and he said the one he liked was rock claiming.

I told him he could not do that because that would be unfair as your drinking would make it dangerous for you and the other people.

I said that he had to make a Choice and decide if he could change his ways and we would talk about it.

He has never drunk since and he has a good net work of true friends and his life and him are very content.

by finding out what has triggered this and find out if there is something more valuable for them in their life's is a good start.

I believe

Answer 32

You have to combat the issues that lead to drinking. Throwing taxes about just means that goon will be even more popular. Which is a horrible thing, goon's terrible. Combating the issues of teenaged depression and social norms and all the other issues, as well as getting rid of the whole "to have a good time one has to drink, and if you don't drink, you're a moron cause every other kid drinks and it's just lame to be the one sober island in a sea of drunkedness." stigma/ideal. - Basically, untill you make suburban life actually interesting, full of opportunity and ways to effectively spend our time, i'll keep drinking till it all seems sunnier.

Answer 33

my family always gave me a very small amount of what they were drinking, even from as young as 6! just like half a mouthful in an eggcup or whatever and i seriously think that if people call this child abuse or still too much is pretty stupid seeing as most medicines contain at least this amount of alcohol per dose in them so we are talking like 1/50th of a standard drink here!! I grew up not even being tempted to drink it with friends until I was 18! obviously this does not work in the case of some of my friends who have alcoholic parents who protrayed the extreem of what im saying and actually encouraged drunkedness by their own behaviours and not caring if their kids drank or not. I think it needs to be balanced and definately what we are doing right now by saying no to even a sip, is just rediculous and just makes the youngster curious to whats the big deal!

Answer 34

It could prob be changed by crakcing down on under age drinking laws. I think it also might help to eduate kids and parents on what casual drinking is and what drinking too much can lead to. I started drinking around that age... but it was just socially... I remeber learning how horrible drinking was at a young age... but when I drank it was not so bad and I remeber being confused.

Answer 35

That's quite old. I thought most have their first beer by 11. It is bad. Parents need to talk to their kids about it and talk openly about their experiences with alcohol without exaggerating, so the kids feel that in a way, they have already "been there, done that" because their parents did it. Just make sure not to romanticize it or get caught up in the moment. And keep things age appropriate.

Answer 36

start with parents, the first line of defense and something with an actually proven track record for success. Don't leave it up to government, schools, friends, television, or movies.



Don't allow bad parents to cop out by saying this doesn't work or I just can't. It won't work if it isn't tried, yes, but it might work if tried. It'll work better with solid effort and worse without. Don't say I can't because I'm a bad role model. It is better to be a hypocrite who loves his/her kids and fesses up to having a problem that a permissive shmuck who allows their lives to be destroyed in a vicious circle of co-dependence and abuse. Break the cycle, or at least try with every resource at your disposal.



Even try this novel approach: Ask for help. If you don't get it immediately, keep asking and knock on every door until someone does. Lives depend upon it, maybe yours or your kids, for that matter.

Answer 37

Id just like to say although thats the average age your child does not have to be the average age. I think to change it parents simply need to take responsibility and from a very early age show good conduct and explain these issues with children. If they are brought up knowing you dont do certain things because they are unhealthy then chances are they will not buy into drinking at a young age. I think its important for kids to focus on other things at that age apart from drinking and for parents to help them focus. Even if it means taking them to do some charity work getting them to see the consequences for alcoholics. Good information to help them make good choices themselves because us parents aren't always going to be there and its when we are not there that we want them to make us proud.

Answer 38

One step could be putting pictures of the negative health effects alcoholism can have on the body on bottles and cans of alcohol, just like there are horrible pictures on cigarette packs (because alcohol can be just as bad as smoking). But I really do believe that changing this culture would be hard, because it really is part of our Australian culture to drink. For example, on Australia day we see teens getting drunk, not celebrating what Australia Day really should be celebrated for.

Answer 39

WRONG the average Australian kid starts drinking within an hour of birth.

Answer 40

Hey i live in the UK and in our country its like 13 or 14

Have guidelines for parents on how to stop this, they have done lots of scientific studies like kids are more likely to drink responsibly if they are allowed a small amount of alcohol at a young age under supervision of their parents. My mum and dad were like this, they would give me a bit of wine at christmas when i was younger and when i was older they would let me have a bit when they had some, i'm 16 now and i have never been drunk and i know how to drink responsibly, my friends are like this too

if other guidelines or tips like this are easier for parents to view then we might have less of a problem with young people coming into A&E becuase of drinking, thats what we can do but i dont think we can stop them drinking at all

Answer 41

regardless teens will drink but i guess prevention is the best cure so i would say having them educated on it would be the best way. Having peolpe who had tragic things happen to them through accessive drinking come into the schools as speakers. explaning that it's okay to drink but in moderation at the right age. it may not get through to all of the teens out there but at least it will touch some and that is better then none.

Answer 42

Kids are going to experiment and cave in to peer group pressure regardless of if they are given the choice to drink at home under the legal age



I'd rather my kids learn about the risks of getting wasted on alcohol in a safe environment like their home than ending up out of control on the streets or at a friends party



My parents allowed my brother and I to drink a glass of wine or beer with 'special' dinners or family events from about 14 and neither of us went on to become rampant alcoholics (although sadly I see the effects of long term alcohol abuse daily through my work as a venue manager)

Answer 43

Who says we need to change this culture? Sure its been extensively scientifically proven that alcohol has a profoundly adverse effect on the adolescent mind, however- if their first exposure to alcohol is minimal and under parental supervision, I believe a early introduction to alcohol could be beneficial and that alcohol forms a significant part of Australian society that we must encourage responsibly, not shun.

Answer 44

You can't. The biggest problem adults have with teenagers is treating them like kids. Calling them 'kids' when they're 15 is not right. The average 15 year old thinks of themselves as grown up and if you don't treat them like that you won't get anywhere. Thinking you can control anyone is naive when they can think for themselves. Maybe the best way to stop teenagers drinking is to stop treating them like you did when the were ten. Then they won't need to try and prove they aren't kids.

Answer 45

I think it might be advisable to have society as a whole slowly slowly shift towards more meaningful things for youth to do in their spare time, rather than drinking to get drunk, which costs the society a lot - monetarily and non-monetarily. Not sure how we'd implement it though, but it would take a really long time to change this deeply entrenched culture.

Answer 46

The solution is to make it seem wrong to drink at 15.5. Make youths think that there is something wrong with them if they drink that young (THERE IS)



The problem is, what's okay for one group of people is not ok for others. We could make it seem unclassy to drink young, and the kids from a rich background will take notice, but the ones from a culture who don't care about class won't take notice.

Answer 47

Hi, Im 21, live in sydney, I started drinking when i was 13-14. why i did it? i was hanging out in the wrong crowd, and of course, if a kid can get alcohol without their parents knowledge, thenyou better believe their gonna get it and drink it! Sure, we can forget our limits sometimes, but its just all in fun, we really get enjoyment out of it, honestly lol. This is our generation and if you dont like it, take a walk. Because you judge us on what we do, well your genration is'nt perfect, a lot more ignorant then us, on some issues. just saying. Don't worry about them/us, worry about yourself!! these younger kids growing up, arent growing up in the same world u did, maybe its about time u older folkes adapted...

Answer 48

We don't need to change the culture. If parents want to allow their kids to drink at 15, let them.

In many European countries that is legal. The age to buy alcohol in Germany for example, is 16 for beer and wine.

There is no problem here.

Answer 49

I was that age too.. If you're child is responsible, it's not a problem.



I was given 2 drinks for my Yr 10 afterparty, I got another 3 or 4 from mates and got somewhat tipsy.



Then in Year 11 & 12, we had 18th, I was a year younger then everyone in my year but I drank with the rest of them.. Drinking till I puked, quickly taught me not to drink so much and to make sure I eat when drinking.



Then when I turned 18, soon after I got really drunk and threw up.. Since then I've never got that drunk. I have always remained somewhat coherant.



From 18 - 20, I went out clubbing twice a week, I often drove so didn't drink but when I did, I did get tipsy/drunk but not completely intoxicated.



Then I got over the clubbing scene and it would be lucky if I have 4 drinks a year.



I think you need to trust your children. Denying them won't help, they'll get it somewhere else.



I think it just depends on how you were raised.

Answer 50

People will drink underage no matter what you do. New generations are always too big for their britches.



When my mom was young she had a fake ID at 14, drinking age was 18



I have friends with fakes now, they are 17-20, drinking age is 21.

Answer 51

It is a sad fact that we CANT change the culture, simply because parents have had their right of reprimand of kids taken away from them. I would hate to be a parent nowadays, they simply have no control over what their kids do. The courts back the kids, and even advise them to leave the family home if things arent going right (or rather their way) for them. Its just bashing your head against a brick wall to try any form of control on any matter whatsoever.

Answer 52

i think the parents have to start the change, they have to start it at home. i married an alcoholic and i don't think i ever saw him sober. i never drank. i wasn't going to put that stuff that smelled so bad in my stomach. i would monator my kid every time he came home, a breathalator test. it has to become not cool to drink any longer, same thing with drugs. i know kids want to have that special feeling so they drink or do drugs, why can't they get high on life and doing the right things. there are tests you can do at home on your children. if you want to stop things you are really going to have to come down hard on them. parents are going to haveto be at games and at placesthat the kids hang out so no drinking.

Answer 53

One reason that this is even happening is that the laws in australia allow minors to drink if under the suprervision of their parents or spouse. 1. Laws should be enforced to prevent minors from even drinking. 2.Actions could be taken to enable the public to be more aware of the risks of underage drinking such as talks being conducted in public places and in schools and pamphlets can also be given out to the public. 3. Experiences can be shared by those who have suffered from underage drinking and they can also give tips on how to stop to those addicted to drinking. 4. Counselling at school can also be provided.

Answer 54

I am an Australian kid who is actually 15 and 8 months and I still haven't started drinking. I don't see the point, its a waste of money, tastes like crap, screws up all your vital organs, kills brains cells and would most likely turn me into more of a douche bag, No thanks! However most of the people in my school drink itleast every weekend.

Answer 55

Hi

Alcohol will not mix with persons of this age,

children and alcohol will never mix with th inter

change of the under developing minds.

Children have too much authority these days,

unless there is more policing at these venues

it will continue to destroy the adolescent mind

just like poison.

Answer 56

i don't really understand it. as a teenager i know many people who go out to parties and get drunk regularly, but i don't really understand it. i like the taste of some alcoholic drinks, and my parents let me have wine or champagne on special occasions. the only party i go to with alcohol is my new years eve party and even then i'm too scared of damaging my brain to have anything more than a couple of beers. i probably manage a maximum of 6-7 standard drinks per year, and thats only since i turned 15.

Answer 57

it makes me wonder how he got served alcohol or did someone get it for him? if i were stopped by a teenager asking for alcohol id simply refuse but different people different views on what is acceptable, i believe a drink at the dinner table is acceptable but not to let someone that young wander the streets with a bottle of whatever!! good question still the only possible answer to it is raise the concern through aid of TV adverts and banners to warn the parents. it up to them to discipline their child otherwise he/she'd become an alcoholic by the time their in their 20's.

Answer 58

let them drink at ten.?,, Why change What culture, m, sheesh,. Its the person and lifestyle that caused the drinking culture, SO, There is no answer to your question, So stop trying to change culture. Only through advertising would you achieve this, lol,

Answer 59

A change in culture starts with the individual. So I start with me. If I am abusing, I stop. If my child is abusing, I do my best to make him stop.



If I do not succeed there, what result could I hope for if I transfer my attention to the kid next door?

Answer 60

you can't change it the only way to make it better is by lowering the drinking age....so that when 15 yr olds drink there's nothing wrong with it. It's like trying to change the US from Imperial units to Metric...its just never going to happen

Answer 61

Every generation thinks the next is worst. If a kid can have legally have sex at 16 and be tried as an adult in court at 17 (at least in QLD) then I don't think that's such a bad statistic, some will abuse alcohol, some will not, I don't think it needs changing, if we raise the age that would just be silly.

Answer 62

It has to start with PARENTS! Because they are teaching the younger generation it's okay! Not really sure it will ever be stopped especially when kids what their parents getting plastered on weekends. But short answer is educating the parents enough so they can educate their children.

Answer 63

It would be great if we could increase the average age in the UK up to 15.5 yrs.

Answer 64

and this average age will go even below . there's absolutely nothin' u can do .

this question is more of a general question like todays teenagers are absolutely fearless . literally .



i'm 20 n i hav seen dat my friends care about a damn . All teens have the same aim . They want to be SMART and COOL and RECKLESS . Even more surprising thing is they r like clones of each other !!

Answer 65

You introduce AA for teenage binge drinkers. It needs another term but it needs to be promoted and made available to parents as an intervention type thing where the child can be forced to attend and discuss with others in the same situation.

Answer 66

You can't. People will always want to try something they aren't allowed to. Changing the legal age of drinking to 21 will just make things worst cough (AMERICA), maybe stop having so much ads dedicated to alcohol and kids won't think its so cool.

Answer 67

I knew a group of young guys who were drinking at 15.



At parties they would be standing around the BBQ enjoying a drink and a laugh,

many of their parents would be in the shed sharing a smoke.



I decided it was the lesser of the two evils as I have seen what dope can do.

Answer 68

A person may it be a child or a teenager or even an adult have a picture of a idol that they would like to be like and that they will copy their idols to be just like them may it be in the public eye , then they will continue to act like their idols. so to stop the issue becoming a problem the subject should come up that people are not to get overly drunk as there are the bad sides like uncontrolable bladder at times liver damage, looking like a fool in public when their body can not handle the amount of alcohol that they are pouring into their body. so if people tell their children that moderately

alcohol could be fine for some people and to not go over board and know that alcohol is expensive or to learn from the lessons others have made and dont not follow in their bad judgements that may mean that they are called a nerd for life but as I see it nerds succeed a whole lot more than other so called cool people. nerds ignore temptation and study and learn from others and so called cool people end up trashing their bodies getting liver failure, kidney disease and sometimes dieing at a wheel or in a car. think about it. they choice is made by each person we are here to guide them not to make them do anything.

Answer 69

the problem comes not necessarily with 'the culture',but from the stuff they are now drinking . .I'd appeal to class anxiety . .make it very 'bogan' to drink,say.Jim Beam and stuff . . while laying off beer . .beer is the least dangerous,being far less potent . .and move to a harm-minimisation model where the importance of eating first and during a session in emphasised . .

Answer 70

I'm nearly 15, and I think it's really all part of the culture and the friends you're with.



In the group of friends I'm with, we don't do parties or any of that stuff, so I don't envisage myself drinking until I'm 18.



My advice is to not allow kids to go to parties. Seriously, if all parents don't allow it it won't be a big deal, and half the time kids totally exaggerate the "but I can't be friends with *** if I can't go to the party!". They're not worth being friends with if they judge you that easily.





It's the only way to avoid it, in my opinion. Parties are where the drinking happens.

Answer 71

I think you should let the kid choose for himself/herself. Laws don't make a difference, if a kid wants to drink, he/she will. Obtaining alcohol is an extremely easy thing to do. The kid just has to make a decision and act upon his conscience.

Answer 72

hi cath,i have had a rough past and noticed 2 things,if the young person hangs out with trouble then grog and drugs are there,another is what the young one see's at home,if he/she see's parents family drinking then they think it is just a normal part of life,sit them down talk to them explain what happens,even give the local cop shop a ring and ask for some advice,they might take he/she into the cells on a drunk night,that might be the go,good luck

Answer 73

nothing will change the culture, its just going to get worse. sure you can create laws and TRY to enforce them but is that practical? im not sure. kids these days are just out of control and there is no discipline which starts at home, so maybe thats something, parents need to take better care of their kids.

Answer 74

Young adults drink due to social anxiety, a desire to escape a stressful home life, or a desire to gain acceptance and love from their peers (which they should be getting from their parents).



Solutions: domestic violence prevention, responsible fatherhood programs, an efficient child support services agency, removing financial/cultural benefits associated with marriage to prevent teen marriages, access to birth control to reduce teen pregnancy

Answer 75

You can't change a culture, its part of that culture for a reason. that's one of the things that makes it different from the others and if you don't like just don't pay attention

Answer 76

Don't change it, let the kids charge. Next time they do the study I'd like to see it at 12 or 13!

Answer 77

the do what their parents do usually. So they need to see that mum and dad have just one drink and stop. It should be the same as a coffee or tea. Just ordinary with no loud laughter or dancing around like mad things.



If that is what they see at home, that is what they'll do. I speak from experience.

Answer 78

The thing is, most countries allow younger kids to drink with parent supervision. They, for the most part, are not allowed to get smashed because that's bad for younger bodies.

Answer 79

Well I think that alcohol taxation should be lowered and advertising restrictions for alcohol should be lifted, in hopes to educate our children on how alcohol in moderation provides feelings of euphoria and can help stimulate the economy, if not abused.

Answer 80

Wow thats my age. Maybee I should start drinking so I don't feel left out.





Lmao Just kidding...

Answer 81

My neighborhood in the far south-west side of Chicago; kids start drinking at 13.0 years of age. Kids are always going to drink, and no-one can stop them.

Answer 82

Well you can change it by changing the people he be around he probrobly seen somebody doing or has peers who lead him to this negative activity such as strong peer presser besides stress can be put on anybody no matter how young

Answer 83

We stop the bloody advertising for it, like they did with cigarettes.



Make it socially unacceptable.



Keep in mind the alcohol (more than drugs) is the main cause of death on the road, family breakup and illness.

Answer 84

does it rlly matter? im from the US, New York, but drinking here isnt legal til 21.

but does it really make a difference when they start drinking? i guess it could be important to change, but you cant change a normal lifestyle for those individuals.

Answer 85

in Germany too. But surprisingly it works.

Because kids learn to drink in front of their parents and that

prevents the crazy alcohol fixation that i see here in the states.

why change it?

starting to handle alcohol when you are 21 is not a good idea.

Answer 86

Fifteen year olds are still under the authority of their parents and that is where the primary responsibility lies. Advice is important but example is vital.

Outlets which sell to juniors should be shut down immediately.

Once the drinking has commenced, the whole family should be bought into counselling as they all need guidance to overcome real, or likely,dependency behaviour.

Answer 87

pfff the average american starts at 13 or 14 at least thats how it was in my highschool. Nobody can change the inevitable.

Answer 88

I'm 17 and I still haven't started drinking. That's mainly because I think I have been educated really well, particularly due to studying the effects of alcohol on the human body during human biology. I just don't see the point in drinking, I think its kinda ridiculous to be honest

Answer 89

Teach Buddhism as a class room subject Buddhism is not a religion its a prophesy .learning Buddhism you can understand what life is all about.this could solve at least one third of the problem.

Answer 90

Raise the drinking age to 75.

Old people can't throw a decent punch anyway.

Answer 91

you are badly misinformed on australian social history if you believe that this is a new feature of australian society. australia has always had a society with a troubled relationship with alcohol. we can't change that feature in isolation from other features of society.

Answer 92

The profile of alcohol is high in Australia.

Sport is sponsored by brewers and winemakers.

It is part of the Aussie stereotype to be a bit legless.

If kids see parents and friends drinking to excess, then they will want to

copy these role models.

A really focused attempt to downgrade the attraction of alcohol

could be undertaken. However, it would mean a total revamp of magazines, television programs,

sponsorship etc..In fact, it would amount to censorship, with parents and teachers leading the way to responsible drinking.

Answer 93

Try Swedens, they start at around 9 years of age.

Answer 94

replace milk with beer in primary school, this should lower that figure.



seriously though, you dont look like a kid, why do you care? weren't you popular as a kid, drinking with mates too?

Answer 95

society has been celebrating "getting pissed" for centuries so why wouldnt teenagers who are impressionable want to get in on it? For most people, getting drunk is fun and there's nothing you can do except make it not such a big taboo and introduce kids to it with supervision.

Answer 96

people are idiots who think everyone should start drinking at 18, those people who are banned are the most irresponsible drinkers when adults. They can't handle alcohol at all and get into fights.

Answer 97

I honeslty dont think you can. we are going to drink no matter how many ad campains or special guest that come to our schools to shair their awful experience with drugs and alcohol or how high priced you make the alcohol.

Answer 98

Well you have two choices.



1. You can let them run wild and make them learn from their mistakes, which can prove to be worthwhile but dangerous.



2. You can keep them banned and tight under your watch, and when they are more older they can run wild.



These days with TV, movies, hoes you can't stop it but you can reduce it.

Answer 99

Embrace Islam. Practicing Muslims do not drink alcohol. Consumption of alcohol other than medical purposes is strictly prohibited in Islam. Problem solved!! :-)



We westerners often belittle eastern philosophies that carry gems of wisdom.

Answer 100

Start given them drinks at 14.5 yrs, problem solved!

Answer 101

well,its not easy to answer to this question.but i will try.before talking about how we can change this culture we have to look into the reason WHY kids starts drinking at this age.

i want you to do a survey as kids of which background(country) are the most who starts drinking at age of 15.5 years.you will be astonished to see that aussie kids may on the top of list.not to offend any culture but indian culture will be last on the list.now we have to think about the cultural difference which makes this happen.

in the last 6 years of my stay in australia i have learnt one thing that kids always talk about they are allowed to drink at 18 ,they are allowed to do sex at 16 they are allowed to stay out at 16 and many things more like this .why we always teach them about crimes related to age and not teach about sins .because those crimes don't remain crimes after allowed age to do.why we don't teach them about family values and importance of relation .why we teach them in school that ur individuals and not part of a family to which u got certain responsibilities.why they are tought not to be feared of their parents.

secondly we always say teenagers do this they do that ,at this age so they get a massage that they are supposed to do that because society accepts that from them .this what happens when one teenager don't smoke or don't drink or don't have boy or girl friend ,then friends harass him or her for not doing so because they think its against the behaviour of teenager not to do so .we should not teach them in school that u can drink after this age instead should teach that drinking is dangerous for health and society.kids learn discipline from parents and teachers but in aus both of them don't have any power to make them discipline.when kids know that their parents don't have any power why they be scared of them.

kids always start drinking at party.which we called socialising .so much importance is given to this word and what happens then that instead of going school and studying kids spends more time in socialising.if parents get some power at least they can stop kids from going to party .

unfortunate fact is that law has given too much liberty and power to teenagers which they are unable to handle because of the immaturity of their age.

and lastly we have to give them an environment and a culture where they don't get encouraged to drink,where they should be scared of doing so.

we have to understand the importance of " FOR THE BETTER FUTURE OF OUR KIDS WE HAVE TO SACRIFICE OUR PRESENT TO SOME EXTENT"....the day we, as adult started thinking about kids future ,giving importance to relation AND stop thinking as individuals ,,things will start getting better.

Answer 102

ask Government to give drinking license to adults so children cant drink the alcohol

Answer 103

HAHA im 18 now and i started drinking at 14....i know you think thats bad....but it hasnt affected my future i just got a scholoship to curtin university for engineering...also i have friends who mean the world to me and i can trust them i havnt mixed with a bad crowd...i have agirlfriend who adors me and i love her so it hasnt screwed up my relationships....and truely the only dangerous thing about drinking at 14 is no one will let you...so you do it around other 14 year olds...and therefore there is no one responsible to look after or teach you so thats how bad things really happen...Australia open your fuking eyes and stop trying to tell people ot to drink and start helping them do it safer...

Answer 104

Or you can not try to change someone's culture. Douche.

Answer 105

I think just showing the consequences of drinking too much (the accidents, health problems and the humiliation, etc) will be the only deterrent.

Answer 106

Responsibility lies with parents.Maybe you cannot.Strong drinking culture in Australia.Education?

Answer 107

I don't have any real idea how to fix this problem, but I can tell you my personal experience growing up. My father was a physically and emotionally abusive alcoholic, and even though I did sample alcohol when I was around 15 (and I really mean sample, I'm talking a couple of sips), all I had to do was look at my father and it turned me off alcohol for life. My grandfather was the same, and I've heard plenty of stories about his verbal abuse of my grandmother. He died when I was fifteen and I did not attend his funeral for that precise reason. I've probably had about fifteen alcoholic beverages in my life (I'm 35 now), and most of those have been toasting at weddings.

My three cousins have learned about alcohol and drugs a different way. My aunt is a medical receptionist in a dodgy area around Beenleigh in Brisbane. During their high school years they have spent a lot of time at the clinic waiting for a lift when my aunt finishes work, and they have seen a pretty constant stream of junkies and alcoholics vomiting, collapsing, and making general idiots of themselves. A couple of people have died at the clinic while at least one of the boys was there. So they have learned through other peoples' mistakes, which I think is brilliant.

My husband doesn't drink, either (his brother does that enough for the both of them), and we keep no alcohol in the house. Our children are young now, 8 and 5, but I really have no idea what to do if alcohol becomes a problem for them when they grow older. Until I figure that out all I can hope for is that they follow our example and find other, healthier ways to have fun.

Answer 108

Adopt Indian culture.

Answer 109

Start off with smoking.



Ban smoking so that people cant smoke on the streets and then after a while make smoking illegal.



You cant get that hooked on it if you cant smoke during the day out of the house.



And after a while, make smoking illegal.





Shops sold, and people gave cigarettes to me since I was 14 and too innocent and young. It is not fair that I smoke as I was too young to understand what I was doing. It is societies fault.

Answer 110

Parents need to rolemodel acceptable drinking behaviour. When kids see their parents binge drinking then of course they are going to think it's okay. People are proud of their antics when they are drunk. Until adults start taking responsibility then it's never going to change.

Answer 111

Its simple really. Parents need to educate their children better. I think people are just getting dumber about this subject,

Answer 112

I bet it's the same here



we make it illegal till 21 but that doesn't mean that law is better or anything



kids here get smashed all the time and stupid things happen because of it



I blame the lack of education about drugs. People are curious becuase they don't really know much about them. Instead schools and most parents just try to hide if from us teenager and all that means is that we will turn to someone else who can get it.

Answer 113

Make alcohol available to them when they are 12. I agree, 15.5 is just too late.

Answer 114

tell them to just drink fosters hhehe.. work at the outback steakhouse.





have a bonzer day mate hehe..i am sorry don't know What to tell you

Answer 115

Why does this need changing

Answer 116

i think . that you cant change a culture . ! ! ! you may tell them what are the affects and the consequences of drinking . . . but you cant change it . . .

Answer 117

Dont



God is great

Beer is good

And Australians are awesome

Answer 118

I was allowed a drink at home on occasion at age 16 I found it was great because when I turned 18 I wasn't desparate to go out and get smashed like some that are never allowed to have a drink.

Answer 119

k b4 i say anything im gona say im 13 so kids start drinkin at 15? well there just killin themselves so for all i care if they dont care about themselves why should i?

Answer 120

You Aussies are lucky that your drinking age isn't 21...... There would be much more underage drinkers.

Answer 121

it seems outrageous in america

but it has been proven that by lowering the drinking age people build a tolerance for alcahol and that it is also less likely for them to over indluge and get dangerously drunk like americans do

Answer 122

You should just go extreme and tell the affects of drinking and the effects it can ave on your body in the long run.

Answer 123

Let them drink all they want so they know what it feels like

Answer 124

It is a way to rebel, if it was allowed it wouldn't be as a big a problem. They do it because they are told not to. In Australia we celebrate getting drunk and it has become part of our society in a way.

Answer 125

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Answer 126

I am 15.5 years and I haven't drunk. They're all weak-minded.

Answer 127

throw aq 1.5 year old kids in jail until they are of legal age to drank

Answer 128

as far as i understand the tv have big effect on children

they start drinking in curosity

australian gov have to make few good rules about alchol usage in tv commercials and movies and tv programms....that all i have to say about that



childrens should be educated about the bad effects of the alochol on life,health and relationships....

Answer 129

I hate this. I hate seeing people young wasting their lives like this. My friend died in a car accident where she and her friends were drinking and stole her parents car.

Its something that can't be stopped easily. Parents should be a little more responsible in giving kids alcohol. And people selling fake ID's aren't helping.

But you can't just change everyone's mindset just like that.

Answer 130

By stop to product alochol

Answer 131

Introduce them younger

Answer 132

Lol, Australia can't internet. But they can bake pretty cakes!

Answer 133

they should have a class in school that teaches specifically on the dangers of alcohol damage on the body

and just like they have a drug free wee in usa they should have a alcohol free week in austrailia where they where red ribbons

Answer 134

By being an example.

Answer 135

Well you can, but it will take YEARS, just you guys need to take step 1 ,

Answer 136

If they start, ruin their life, take away T.v. their phone, their computer, them be able to out with their friends, be sure to warn them first

Answer 137

I think we should lift the legal drink age to 25. I doubt 15 year olds would think of drinking if the legal age for drinking becomes 25 years rather than 18.

Answer 138

with the special education

Answer 139

better parenting skills?



i'm from sydney and i only started drinking on my 18th birthday,.

Answer 140

do not have a drinking age, therefore its not a thing thats cool cuz everyone can do it.

Answer 141

stop driving people to drink

Answer 142

Start giving it to them when they are younger

Answer 143

I was that age too.. If you're child is responsible, it's not a problem.

Answer 144

I was that age too.. If you're child is responsible, it's not a problem.

Answer 145

dont let them stop them if you dont give them money they wont buy keep an eye on them becouse any thing can happen when they are drunk

Answer 146

damn, thats awesome. i started drinking at about the same age, now if only it were legal here......

Answer 147

Start them younger

Answer 148

I think this is fine, kids will find alcohol anyhow.

Answer 149

No need to change it

Answer 150

provide guidance ugliness alcoholics and alcoholics are not good for growth

Answer 151

let them drink they'll find a way to do it they don't care about what we think

Answer 152

Why change it

Answer 153

it should come from roots madam

imean it depends on parents and surroundings

Answer 154

Definitely not.

Answer 155

Copy Muslims .. Law .. Ban the Alchoal in Country and out of your Media and Culture too simple ..

Answer 156

I don't think a law would be suitable - just face it. Teens like to break the law and they want to impress their peers. It makes them think they are cool.



Simply, there is no answer. It is at the parent's or guardian's risk and they should be supervising their children. Aussie kids should be informed with the information of alcohol and drugs, so they should attend special programs which talk about it or have a chat with their parents. This will alert them with the bell.



It is at their own risk basically.

Answer 157

I think it's teen drug use we really need to fix, not drinking.

Answer 158

thats when i started to drink but when i look back, if there was more acceptance of it. i wouldnt have.

the fact that most teens only try alcohol because they arent supposed to and its their way of rebelling...

Answer 159

The thing is, most countries allow younger kids to drink with parent supervision. They, for the most part, are not allowed to get smashed because that's bad for younger bodies.



Kids in America have already shown how irresponsible they are by drinking to excess and end up with alcohol poisoning.

Answer 160

CHANGE THE DRINKING AGE TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 161

so what I dont think its big deal really

Answer 162

More centres for children to 'hangout' at so they arn't bored and dont go on the streets and drink and cause trouble and get into trouble.Teens have few places to go and few rolemodels,so instead they hang out on the streets or at each others houses smoking marijuana or drinking.

There needs to be many centres that kids can go to,that have many activities like trampolines,volleyball,throwing ball,cooking classes,painting classes,fun games and things like sack races or relay drills like in the army,discussion groups regarding life topics or other things,discussion groups that encourage youth discussion and input about what they wish to see changed n their world or their local community-in other words get the kids involved and help them to grow as thinking individuals whos input is valued instead of just mindlessly drinking/drugs etc.

These centres should have adult staff or volunteers at all times,should involve gentle kind people,very carefully chose people and not just any youthworkers,should discourage bullying in these centres but do so in a gentle,nonforceful way and should encourage all the teens inputs on this and how to solve problems by working together and helping each other.

So,all types of youths should feel welcome and at ease to go there and there should be no 'cliques' of certain groups-eg:only samoans or only aboriginals etc.All should be encouraged to socialise together.

These centres could have certain mights where they go out and feed the people on the streets or offer blankets and the kids should be offered to go and help if they want.

There could also be some craft activities at the centres where the kids make craft or woodworks etc for themselves,their families or poor people/street people etc.

There could be dance/exercise classes there too.

There needs to be people there that the kids can talk to about their problems at home and there could be groups where they can discuss family probs etc in a group setting but all involvement should be voluntary.

Kids could offer a donation or small fee of two dollars to attend or can make things for fundraising to help with the upkeep fees on the centres.

You could possibly also receive finances and support from the Catholic Churches if they liked your suggestions and were in alignment with the morally etc.

Data needs to be provided of the times that kids are drinking and these centres need to be open at these times which might mean night staff.

Parents should be encouraged to attend sometimes and watch their kids activities there but at the same time not all the time so they kids have a bit of fried time too.

Basically,give the kids other options then to drink and to better themselves by doing activities,learning skills,having fun etc.

Also,if parents are drinking,its not real easy to change the culture regarding the youth.The whole culture needs to be changed to discourage drunkeness and encourage moderate drinking.

Without a change in adults,it will be somewhat difficult to implement a change in youth.

Its a whole cultural issue in general.

Also,the picnic needs to come back into fashion.Families need to start being encouraged to have picnics again like in the 80's (eg:NSW Warragamba dam,Prospect picnic)

where people kick a ball around,eat great food and have family fun.

Politicans etc should encourage this and be leaders regarding it by having picnics with family and having it displayed/advertised.Other creative incentives could be put into place too like government organising picnic and offering raffle tickets with the prize being large food hampers,spa treatments or something.

This study may interest you.

Also,you should research the countries or regions that have the least problems with teenage drinking and findout what it is that they are doing culturally or otherwsie that contributes to their low youth alcohol issue.



http://www.casacolumbia.org/templates/PressReleases.aspx?articleid=458&zoneid=56

Answer 163

If the teenager is caught drinking or is drunk in public, fine the parent as they are repsonsible for them, i bet that resolves the problem big time.

Answer 164

Kids are our future and we love our kids as every parents do and we should look after them and protect them and this makes our society better.

Kids should not be allowed to drink alcohol while there organs are still growing and the age for drinking should be 21 i think.



Look at at the link why alcohol is forbidden in health and Islam



http://www.themodernreligion.com/alcohol.html

Answer 165

Don't. Just get drunk.

Answer 166

why change? if it is not broken why fix it ?

Answer 167

MAKE ALCOHOL ILLEGAL for EVERYONE! Alcohol is very bad for you.

Answer 168

i thought it would have been younger then that

Answer 169

What's wrong with 15.5yrs? Why do you feel the culture needs changing? Should it be higher or lower?



The 18 y.o age limit is an arbitrary figure set by politicians to get votes from ignorant people. It does absolutely nothing for the health of our children. Conversely, telling a teenager that they can't do something is like red rag to a bull and likely contributes to the binge drinking culture, which is dangerous to health.



All kids should be introduced to alcohol by their parents at an age when they still respect their authority. If done in a responsible way, it will teach children to drink in a responsible way.

Answer 170

thats so naughty

Answer 171

Get f-cked.

Answer 172

give them marijuana instead!

Answer 173

if it were viable, ban alcohol. you don't it to have a good time

Answer 174

That's a tricky problem--let's see. Maybe if we could replace milk with beer in junior high cafeterias it would encourage them to start a little earlier.

Answer 175

VERY EASY! EMBRACE ISLAM !!!

Answer 176

stop selling beer to 15 year olds

Answer 177

do what they did with smoking stop advertising it

Answer 178

Raise the drinking age to 21 and put heavy fines for underage drinking. Also fund more into programs that raise awareness

Answer 179

It's none of your business. Other people's lives are not your property, to mould and hammer into any shape you think fit.