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“After a
break from studying after my first degree in health visiting, I decided to
start a new course and discovered the MSc in Public Health: Health Promotion at
Leeds Metropolitan University. Completing the course was as much about doing
something for my own personal achievement as well as knowing it would assist
with my everyday role as a Health Visitor.
There have
been many elements to the course that I have found interesting, one of which
was my research project for my 12,000 word dissertation. I decided to look in
to the attitudes parents have towards supplying alcohol to their underage
teenagers.
Alcohol
consumption in adolescence is a source of increasing concern. In England, it is
illegal for persons under the age of 18 years to purchase alcohol, and the
reduction or prevention of under-age alcohol consumption is a government
priority, with supply of and access to alcohol being key aims in the national
strategy. The Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer advocates that an
alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option for children. However,
research implies that the consumption of alcohol by young people frequently
ignores these recommendations.
Parental
supply has been identified within a number of studies as a significant point of
access to alcohol by teenagers.
They may do this for many reasons; to demystify drinking alcohol, be in
control of how much they consume or some see it as a rite of passage. A recent
Drinkaware study identified a correlation between parental drinking habits, and
influences upon children. I
specifically chose to recruit and interview parents, aged between 44 and 64
years, from middleclass families as research shows there is an increase in the
weekly drinking habits of this group.
Of the seven
parents I spoke with there was a varying degree of attitudes, awareness and
lack of knowledge. One mum even took away with her some prompt cards describing
different scenarios where her children may her approach her for alcohol to use
during discussions with her children.
It was
evident through the interviews that parents aren’t given much advice and
support on what they should do if their teenage son or daughter comes to them
to ask for alcohol to take to a party, etc. As a nurse by background and
working in the healthcare profession for 30 years, I have seen the short and
long term health impacts for people and their families who have been affected by excessive drinking of
alcohol and as health care professionals we should get better at having these
conversations early.”
Congratulations to Sharon on her
degree and well deserved prize.
You
can access information and support from your local Health Centre or GP surgery
or your child’s school/college pastoral services. In addition, you may find the
following websites a useful source of information:
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