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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Drinking / pub at 15/16

18 replies

hopeishere · 30/12/2023 17:34

Was chatting to friends and their 15/16 year olds are drinking at house parties regularly and going out to pubs (no idea how they get in) and drinking there too.

I wasn't shocked as such but I just think it's too early. But maybe I'm behind the times?

My own DS is nearly 16 and he's not in the cool gang so isn't on these outings!

OP posts:

Hellocatshome · 30/12/2023 17:40

My DS is 16 he unfortunately looks older so he can get served in pubs. To be fair he goes for a pint before watching his football team when they play at home and that's about it. He has had a 4 pack of Morreti in the fridge since before Christmas (a present from his boss) and hasn't touched it yet.

Some teens will drink more than others even if the opportunities to drink are there same as adults.

SantaBakula · 30/12/2023 17:41

It's a long time since I was 15 but did occasionally go to the pub , sometimes alone sometimes with one or two mates.
It's a environment I grew up in ( dd a landlord) so I was use to been in them and knew how to behave.
I also knew a lot of the regulars in the local pubs so always felt safe.

AuntieMarys · 30/12/2023 17:43

I was drinking in pubs aged 15 in 1975

fiorentina · 30/12/2023 17:44

I’m mid forties and we went to the pub regularly from 15-16 and all the time in sixth form. I thought things had changed a bit due to stricter ID and some teens seeming less keen on drinking now but plenty still do from that age?

shearwater2 · 30/12/2023 17:49

I started going out and having one or two drinks occasionally in Y10/Y11 - probably more than one or two experiementally at a party, and several menthol cigarettes too! It is more unusual now as places are much stricter with ID. Even back then in the early 1990s we stuck to one or two places we knew we'd get in. DD1 had a set of friends where the parents would text one another to check whether DDs were ok to have a couple of cans of fruit cider at a party at 15/16, and it's pretty much the same with DD2 now. I don't think there are any pubs locally they'd get served in if they tried!

Original poster

hopeishere · 30/12/2023 17:49

I didn't start going until I was 17. I think it partly DS is very young looking so I still think of him as a "child".

OP posts:

Vettrianofan · 30/12/2023 17:51

DS16 gets stubbies on special occasions, he can have three or four. We can monitor what he does at home. By restricting it, makes it more appealing. We don't make a fuss about it. He knows we drink occasionally. It's not something we do regularly.

Mywhoopdeedoo · 30/12/2023 17:53

I was always out at pubs and clubs -late 80’s, no one bothered checking ID

babasaclover · 30/12/2023 17:55

I was going at 14. Massive knockers on a small frame meant no one even looked at my face 🤣🤣🤣 actually was very good to me no one coddling as didn't know I was a child

enjoyingscience · 30/12/2023 18:27

I think it was very common 20-30 years ago and very rare now.

DS15 was offered wine, beer or a weak cocktail with Christmas dinner and opted for chocolate milk, so I guess drink holds little appeal to him for now!

Mywhoopdeedoo · 30/12/2023 18:39

They’re much hotter on checking ID these days, no more borrowing your sister’s or getting an older mate to let you in through the fire escape

twistandfart · 30/12/2023 20:12

That was normal when I was a teen, but I think is much rarer now. I always looked really young so struggled to get into most places until I was actually 18 (and older). I wish I still looked younger than my years but sadly I don't!

DarkAcademia · 30/12/2023 20:16

Mywhoopdeedoo · 30/12/2023 18:39

They’re much hotter on checking ID these days, no more borrowing your sister’s or getting an older mate to let you in through the fire escape

Gosh I’d forgotten about being let in through the fire escape! 😆

I was getting into pubs and clubs from 16 (normal for girls though back then in the 90’s?) but my nearly 15yo is nowhere NEAR that kind of thing yet. We don’t live in a city though.

addictedtotheflats · 30/12/2023 20:22

I was drinking in bars and clubs at 16, no idea how we got in because i was clearly underage. I drank most weekends on parks aswell. I turned out fine, not an alcoholic and have a good qualification and job now. Hes just experimenting

DelilahBucket · 30/12/2023 20:23

I was out clubbing and drinking three nights a week at 15 in the early 00's. It's a lot harder now but can still happen. DS has a friend who at 15 looks much older. At 16 in some places they can have a beer or class of wine with a meal. DS has had a couple of drinks over Christmas at gatherings and he can have a couple tomorrow night too. He's having a friend over for the night so I've checked with his parents that they are allowed. I'd rather it happens in a safe and supervised environment.

HotChocolateWithCointreau · 30/12/2023 20:25

fiorentina · 30/12/2023 17:44

Snap!

Mywhoopdeedoo · 30/12/2023 20:52

My two grown up dc have never been into partying, a few drinks but that’s it. I’d be terrified if they got up to what I did !

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 30/12/2023 21:49

Honestly at 15/16 I was drinking in pubs. It's harder these days to get served but good on them if they find a way.....old enough at 16 though I feel 15 is a bit young.

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