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Original poster

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:
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6
BoudiccaRuled · 02/08/2025 22:49

justanotherdrama · 31/07/2025 23:16

There was a situation near us where there was a party at a house and a teenager became unconscious after too much drink, the kids were all 14/15 the parents were there and ambulance was called, as were the police and social services

it’s illegal so why on earth would anyone facilitate this?

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It isn't illegal? Why are people saying it is?

Isthisit22 · 02/08/2025 22:46

Pixiedust49 · 02/08/2025 22:03

Agree. As parents it probably doesn’t matter what we do tbh. In my teens I had some friends who had strict parents and some who had liberal parents. Most drank heavily regardless. It’s our children who have to make their decision, their choice. We just have to hope they make the right one ( not downing a bottle of vodka)

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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

verycloakanddaggers · 02/08/2025 22:05

dca860 · 02/08/2025 20:35

Alcohol in itself doesn't cause damage. Abuse it and it's a different story.
Rather like religion really; its fine to have belief, but extremeism causes serious damage.

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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.

Pixiedust49 · 02/08/2025 22:03

Anchi · 02/08/2025 21:33

My parents were really strict. They didn’t let me drink and I would go out with three friends at 15 and we’d drink a whole bottle of tequila. Never knew when to stop and it got me in trouble (though through sheer luck never serious trouble) all the time.

My other friend had parents who would allow her to drink small amounts and were not strict but reasonable. She still got plastered all the time when we went out.

I’m firmly of the opinion that whether or not your kids are responsible with alcohol has more to do with their personalities than your own attitude towards their drinking. Sorry that’s probably not a helpful answer.

Agree. As parents it probably doesn’t matter what we do tbh. In my teens I had some friends who had strict parents and some who had liberal parents. Most drank heavily regardless. It’s our children who have to make their decision, their choice. We just have to hope they make the right one ( not downing a bottle of vodka)

19lottie82 · 02/08/2025 21:42

dca860 · 02/08/2025 20:40

No, I didn't. Throwing religion into the equation takes the discussion in an entirely different direction

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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?

Jhigs · 02/08/2025 21:34

dca860 · 02/08/2025 20:35

Alcohol in itself doesn't cause damage. Abuse it and it's a different story.
Rather like religion really; its fine to have belief, but extremeism causes serious damage.

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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.

Anchi · 02/08/2025 21:33

My parents were really strict. They didn’t let me drink and I would go out with three friends at 15 and we’d drink a whole bottle of tequila. Never knew when to stop and it got me in trouble (though through sheer luck never serious trouble) all the time.

My other friend had parents who would allow her to drink small amounts and were not strict but reasonable. She still got plastered all the time when we went out.

I’m firmly of the opinion that whether or not your kids are responsible with alcohol has more to do with their personalities than your own attitude towards their drinking. Sorry that’s probably not a helpful answer.

Mavvera · 02/08/2025 21:27

A couple of cans of cider, lager or beer, because if they don't have any they will somehow get the vodka or something like that

gingercat02 · 02/08/2025 21:27

None. Mine is 17 (just) and I don't provide alcohol

alondonerabroad · 02/08/2025 21:20

This happened to mine (14) recently. The parent dropped him off at mine in his underwear, passed out, with his vomit covered clothes in a carrier bag. I would have turned a blind eye to a couple of cans of cider but now…..

MrsPositivity1 · 02/08/2025 20:44

None

DurinsBane · 02/08/2025 20:44

With my children that age, I would buy them a bottle (75cl/1ltr) of Smirnoff Ice or similar (which is about 4.5%)

londongirl12 · 02/08/2025 20:42

Dramatic · 02/08/2025 20:34

Right 😂

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My niece and nephew started drinking around that age. Now they’re a few years older and getting absolutely paralytic frequently, with a few hospital visits in between. They grew up thinking drinking was really “cool”. It’s a slippery slope.

DurinsBane · 02/08/2025 20:41

ItsAllTooMuch4Lisa · 02/08/2025 20:11

Nothing
its illegal
its irresponsible
it’s dangerous
it’s a fast track to a social care referral

It’s not.
Hmm maybe, depends on how much you give them.
see above
unlikely, as long as it isn’t loads and all the time, as it isn’t illegal

dca860 · 02/08/2025 20:40

19lottie82 · 02/08/2025 20:04

I think you must have misunderstood the OP. The question was “how much alcohol would you let your 15 yo take to a party?” This was answered.

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No, I didn't. Throwing religion into the equation takes the discussion in an entirely different direction

KatieB55 · 02/08/2025 20:39

None

londongirl12 · 02/08/2025 20:39

None!!!!! They’re 15 not 18!!!

DaringTraybake · 02/08/2025 20:37

None a 15 year old shouldn't be drinking alcohol let alone bring it to a party. That's too young, at 15 there's plenty more things have fun doing.

DurinsBane · 02/08/2025 20:37

MumWifeOther · 01/08/2025 00:24

Drinking at just turned 15 is also illegal. What the parents are doing is equally illegal. If I knew this was happening, I’d probably report it.

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It’s not. With parent’s permission, in a private place, it is legal from 5 in the UK. (yes I know that is mad at 5!). OP has permission. Obviously the child cannot buy it herself until she is 18

dca860 · 02/08/2025 20:35

Jhigs · 02/08/2025 20:16

I teach my children that it is a sin. I've explained all the damage it has caused and why we don't drink it. There's many good reasons

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Alcohol in itself doesn't cause damage. Abuse it and it's a different story.
Rather like religion really; its fine to have belief, but extremeism causes serious damage.

Original poster
Dramatic · 02/08/2025 20:34

ItsAllTooMuch4Lisa · 02/08/2025 20:11

Nothing
its illegal
its irresponsible
it’s dangerous
it’s a fast track to a social care referral

Right 😂

OP posts:
DoNotBiteTheirHeadsOff · 02/08/2025 20:33

At 15 mine wouldn’t have been interested in booze. At 16 I’d offer them a cider or glass of fizz on a special occasion- they were never that fussed. At 17 one of them had a group of friends who drank and had a few drinks on nights out.

A few years later neither of them drink. IME their attitude to drink is largely influenced by their friends rather than anything I’ve done at home.

I would rather they tried the odd drink at home with friends or at a friends house rather than in a park or something at that age.

DurinsBane · 02/08/2025 20:32

PreciousTatas · 31/07/2025 23:59

Does that only work with alcohol?

Just wondering why alcohol is the one mythical thing you absolutely can't forbid as it will make a teenager want it more.

Not class A drugs, beastiality or necrophilia.

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The ones you quoted are illegal. Alcohol is not illegal for a 15 year old to drink in a house if her parents have given permission (which the OP has)

ItsAllTooMuch4Lisa · 02/08/2025 20:23

Given my job - social worker in child and adolescent services .yes. Especially when something goes wrong - an a&e visit, fire, police involvement or kids bragging at school and school and neighbour referrals.
yes.
my comments are correct

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