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How much alcohol for a 15 year old?

569 replies

Dramatic · 31/07/2025 20:29

If your 15 year old was going to a party (supervised by parents at the house) how much alcohol would you allow them to take with them?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
BlueMum16 · 03/08/2025 14:13

Dramatic · 03/08/2025 10:57

Only? So there's absolutely no chance that a 15/16 year old who occasionally has a few drinks at parties might grow up in to a normal healthy adult?

An occasional drink under YOUR supervision.

Not at a random party where you have no idea what is going on.

Can you not see the difference?

dca860 · 03/08/2025 13:27

verycloakanddaggers · 03/08/2025 10:23

You don't have to believe science if you prefer not to, but the research shows it's healthier not to drink alcohol.

Probably healthier not to allow sugar, salt, butter etc etc. I get that, but its not lethal, and in moderation is harmless once their liver and kidneys have developed It's really not bad in moderation. Many kids who are denied until they reach 18, then go off the rails and binge drink to excess as a result worth far more detrimental repercussions.
A sensible managed introduction to alcohol is common sense in my books.
Good luck whatever you all do

dca860 · 03/08/2025 13:25

19lottie82 · 03/08/2025 08:39

Oh I do understand, I just don’t see what your issue is? Plenty of people have given valid reasons why they would or wouldn’t allow their kids to take alcohol to a party. And religion is one of those.

and “drop it”? That’s twice now you’ve told people not to post. It’s a discussion forum. No one is being rude or offensive, and the replies are relevant to the OP. On that basis we can post what we like! If you’re so offended or annoyed for whatever reason I don’t quite get, maybe it’s you that should “drop it”.

But harping on about the same thing isn't getting us anywhere. I didn't tell anyone not to post, merely to drop the banging on!

MrsSkylerWhite · 03/08/2025 13:25

none.

dca860 · 03/08/2025 13:23

verycloakanddaggers · 03/08/2025 10:23

You don't have to believe science if you prefer not to, but the research shows it's healthier not to drink alcohol.

Probably healthier not to allow sugar, salt, butter etc etc. I get that, but in moderation, once their liver and kidneys have developed, it's really not bad in moderation. Many kids who are denied until they reach 18, then go off the rails and binge drink to excess as a result.
A sensible managed introduction is common sense in my books.
Good luck whatever your all do

dca860 · 03/08/2025 13:19

DiscoDancingDoris · 03/08/2025 11:09

Zero at 15 and I think I'm quite a laid back parent.

I don't!

Rewis · 03/08/2025 12:11

So the belief is that the kids whose parents have not provided alcohol will be shooting vodka and jagermeister and the ones with one Breezer sitting next to them will say "no thank you, I have my breezer" and they will just drink the one?

Teenagers whose parents make alcohol accessible are more likely to start drinking earlier, have alcohol related problems earlier and drink more frequently and higher quantities.

Also, Italian and French teenagers do heaven binge drinking. They are not sitting around having a nice glass of Pinoe. French had to increase the legal age to purchase alcohol due to binge drinking. According to OECD Italy is slightly below EU average in heavy adolecent drinking episodes.

If you want to buy alcohol for your kids, go for it. But I have yet to see a compelling argument to do it. From anecdotal experience, the kids with relaxed parents were always the most drunk in school parties. And only a few years ago I was at a friends party and her teenaged brother had drinks bought by their mum. I'll never forget the comment from one fmaily memeber "you're totally different types of drunk than your dad" and it was a compliment.

DiscoDancingDoris · 03/08/2025 11:09

Zero at 15 and I think I'm quite a laid back parent.

Dramatic · 03/08/2025 10:57

Aspire5253 · 03/08/2025 09:53

The only possible answer is zero. Why would you even think about giving alcohol to children. It can only lead to long term disaster

Only? So there's absolutely no chance that a 15/16 year old who occasionally has a few drinks at parties might grow up in to a normal healthy adult?

OP posts:
zingally · 03/08/2025 10:30

Something like a 4-pack of alcopops would be my limit. Or a couple of cans of pre-mixed cocktail.

verycloakanddaggers · 03/08/2025 10:23

dca860 · 02/08/2025 23:25

Rubbish!

You don't have to believe science if you prefer not to, but the research shows it's healthier not to drink alcohol.

Aspire5253 · 03/08/2025 09:53

The only possible answer is zero. Why would you even think about giving alcohol to children. It can only lead to long term disaster

FableLies · 03/08/2025 09:23

Isthisit22 · 02/08/2025 22:46

Quite a lot of research suggests this is not true. Seeing drinking and being allowed to drink earlier leads to increased alcohol consumption and trial of alcoholism I’m afraid

MN doesn't believe this is true, unfortunately.

toughtimestoday · 03/08/2025 09:16

Lemniscate8 · 31/07/2025 20:54

My cousin was one of those liberal, lets be open about it, lets advise and share it parents. her son was diagnosed as alcoholic at 16.

My friends parents were a strict family. No conversations at all around sex. No alcohol allowed etc. My mum was very liberal and open. My friend got date raped at 12 - never told her parents. Was in a sexual relationship at 13. Her sister was in a sexual relationship at 11. My friend is now an alcoholic. I lost my virginity at 18 and drink very rarely. Point is I don’t think you can say being liberal caused your cousins child to be alcoholic anymore than I can argue being from a strict family caused my friend to be.

19lottie82 · 03/08/2025 08:39

dca860 · 02/08/2025 23:24

Like I said, totally different context. If you can't understand that, just drop it

Oh I do understand, I just don’t see what your issue is? Plenty of people have given valid reasons why they would or wouldn’t allow their kids to take alcohol to a party. And religion is one of those.

and “drop it”? That’s twice now you’ve told people not to post. It’s a discussion forum. No one is being rude or offensive, and the replies are relevant to the OP. On that basis we can post what we like! If you’re so offended or annoyed for whatever reason I don’t quite get, maybe it’s you that should “drop it”.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 03/08/2025 08:12

None. I don't mind 15 year olds having a glass of watered down wine at home with a meal now and again, but unsupervised access to alcohol at a party? My kid wouldn't be going!

Pallisers · 03/08/2025 03:27

Yeah the old a glass of red wine is good for you ship has sailed.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/health/alcohol-cancer-heart-stroke.html

I have no skin in this game anymore - kids are grown and - shock horror we abided by the US laws where we live and didn't really serve alcohol to them until they were close to 21 - even though those laws are nuts. All have a perfectly normal relationship with alcohol now.

but it is funny how half of MN are shocked at parents buying alcohol for their 15 year olds and half are shocked that they don't.

Iwishicouldflyhigh · 03/08/2025 02:58

None, because, you know, she’s only 15 and even if she has a few elicit sips of someone else’s, buying it is condoning it.

Derbee · 03/08/2025 02:13

Shocked at the responses here 😂

I’d say 2 alcopops?

Angiecandy1 · 03/08/2025 02:05

None

PinkCamelia369 · 03/08/2025 01:24

When I was at elementary school, my parents started to teach me about alcohol. My dad's favorite exercise to do with each child is to get a small sherry glass with half wine, half water. We would walk all the way down the road and back to the house. Each child, when it was their turn, had to sip it and not finish it until we got home.
Then we would get the same glass at Sunday dinner. My parents would demonstrate sipping through the meal of 3 courses and we would do the same. By the time my siblings and I got to be teenagers, we were happily sipping wine at parties, amazed that our friends were throwing up and passing out.
With my own kids, it was more tricky as I had stopped drinking by then. However, I do remember we had an afternoon with some hit flasks I'd bought at the shop. I allowed them to taste each one and show how the taste changed when you mixed it with soda or water (or milk for Baileys Irish Cream). It wasn't quite as effective as my parents' training, so I highly recommend getting in there early and encouraging them to talk to you about their experiences without judgement. You want them to feel no shame bringing up the subject. The goal at the party is for them to keep their wits about them so they can make wise decisions, to "save face" and to save the liver!

Mumtobabyhavoc · 03/08/2025 00:53

dca860 · 02/08/2025 23:22

And, in moderation, your entire post is nonsense. They're is research that states it's actually good for you (in moderation).

see para 5

www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health#:~:text=Moreover%2C%20there%20are%20no%20studies,issue%20in%20research%20for%20years.

dca860 · 02/08/2025 23:25

verycloakanddaggers · 02/08/2025 22:05

All alcohol consumption causes some damage, scientifically it is healthier not to drink at all.

It is more harmful whilst the brain is still developing, drinking at all in the teen years is not advised.

Rubbish!

dca860 · 02/08/2025 23:24

19lottie82 · 02/08/2025 21:42

They’re just giving a reason why they wouldn’t allow alcohol. Just like plenty of other posters have. I don’t see what your issue is?

Like I said, totally different context. If you can't understand that, just drop it

dca860 · 02/08/2025 23:22

Jhigs · 02/08/2025 21:34

Alcohol is toxic to cells and can damage DNA.

Alcohol disrupts brain signaling, impairs memory and coordination, and can cause long-term brain shrinkage.

Repeated exposure leads to fatty liver, inflammation, and possibly cirrhosis.

Alcohol increases the risk of several cancers (especially breast, liver, and digestive tract), even at low levels.

It raises blood pressure, increases risk of arrhythmias, weakens the immune system, and disrupts the gut microbiome.

And, in moderation, your entire post is nonsense. They're is research that states it's actually good for you (in moderation).