Parental guidance is important in the fight against underage drinking, but it cannot stop it from happening. Teens everywhere usually are willing to try almost anything their friends are doing. Parents do not have control over their children’s friends and the way the friends were brought up. Parents can do their best on an ongoing basis to try to influence the character and sensibility of their own children.

Where there’s a will there’s a way applies to good and bad events. Teens are well aware of the problems and dangers of underage drinking yet they continue to do it. One of the biggest problems in colleges is binge drinking and most of those students are under 21 years of age.

The best course for parents is to begin at a young age and set a good example for their children on all fronts. This includes responsibility for actions and respect for the law. Parents may take a European stance on drinking and find nothing wrong with it and even give their children sips of beer at a young age. Many families enjoy wine all around with dinner.

Drinking itself is not a sin but carried to extremes it could become a real problem. Combine youthfulness with the scientific fact that teenage brains are not yet complete and that is why they cannot internalize and balance the facts against their wants and there are problems. Teens believe they are invincible and drinking will not harm them.

The best parents can do is to provide an atmosphere of responsibility in all things and continually educate their children about the dangers of underage drinking. Parental guidance can go a long way to prevent tragedies but even in the best families teens die every day due to underage drinking.