ONE IN 10 Irish teenagers says their parents’ drinking affects their own lives in a “hugely negative way” while a quarter of teenagers admit to binge drinking themselves, according to a survey to be published today.
It found that some 79 per cent of 12 to 18-year-olds say parents should not drink alcohol and become drunk in front of their children. In contrast, almost one-third of teenagers say it is okay for teenagers to drink alcohol to get drunk.
The National Children’s Consultation survey by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children shows teenagers are much more accepting of excessive drinking by young people themselves than their own parents. One in five teenagers say it is okay for young people to drink five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting while just 9 per cent say adults should drink the same.
Some of the responses by the 9,746 children surveyed show teenagers feel their childhood was shortened as a result of parental drinking while some other responses point to “physical and emotional abuse” within families.
“It’s upsetting to see your parents out of control like that,” says one respondent to the society’s survey. Another teenager says: “When they get drunk, they don’t know what they are doing. It’s embarrassing. I hate it.”
The survey shows 45 per cent of 12 to 18-year-olds say they drink alcohol and one-quarter of teenagers say they “binge drink” by consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting. Among those young people who say they have drunk alcohol within the past month, 63 per cent say they have been drunk on at least one occasion during this period.
Overall, 19 per cent of those surveyed said they have been drunk on at least one occasion within the past month. However, most young people (66 per cent) are in favour of teenagers drinking alcohol in moderation. Some 73 per cent of teenager say they favour adults drinking alcohol in moderation.
Just over one-quarter (28 per cent) agreed with a statement that teenagers should not drink alcohol at all while two-thirds disagreed with the statement. Girls were more likely than boys to report that they drink alcohol, however boys are more likely than girls to report that they engage in binge drinking, it says.
Ashley Balbirnie, chief executive of the society, said the fact that one in 10 children feel their life was significantly affected by their parent’s alcohol use is very worrying.
“This consultation gives voice to the untold damage on young people who are impacted by emotional distress, neglect, increased responsibilities, and risk of physical abuse and violence as a consequence of some parents drinking,” he said.