How much alcohol for a 15 year old?

[Dramatic]

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?

Shocked at the responses here 😂

I’d say 2 alcopops?

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.

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.

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!

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”.

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.

MN doesn't believe this is true, unfortunately.

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

I don't!

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

none.

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!

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

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 You are off base. Research does not support you, however well meaning you are. (And I don't doubt you are.)

"The adolescent brain is still developing, particularly the areas responsible for impulse control and decision-making. This makes teens more vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol and less likely to make safe choices when drinking."

It's a summary from AI, but you can easily Google research. You can disagree, but the research is clear that alcohol consumption on any levels for kids and teens is not safe for multiple reasons from safety to health. Introducing alcohol to underage kids actually has the opposite effect to your presumed outcome.

It bears questioning why you won't accept that simple point. Why not teach young people that alcohol is not necessary to have a good time?

Zero for my kids

but my SIL has been making margaritas for her 15yo every time we get together (weekly minimum ).. she started couple of years ago

now she complains that her DD is out of control hiding vodka bottles under her bed 🤔

All of this is about alcohol is totally untrue. Read the research.

Depends on the research.

You're spouting nonsense and myths.

that chance is significantly decreased when a parent supplies alcohol.