12 year olds drinking O'Douls...appropriate?

[luvsJack]

I also come from a long line of alcoholics, and I strongly suspect I have the genetic disposition to be one myself. As such, I drink very, very little -- 2 or 3 drinks PER YEAR. And I've talked to my children about their personal danger being higher than that of people without such a family background. I know my oldest understands.

However, while I agree with the majority of your post, I am also certain that "glamorizing" alcohol during youth is a factor in alcoholism. Allowing a kid to drink a fake beer or a virgin drink in a fancy glass is like letting them "play grown up". Kids want to be grown up, and if you allow them to see that as cool, worldly, suave, it's a step towards alcoholism. If it's the ONLY step, likely no harm'll be done. But rarely is it the only step.

It's a complicated, multi-fauceted topic. Anyone who says, "Just do this one thing, and it'll be okay" is lying to himself.

The only way this could lead to alcoholism is if the person was already genetically predisposed to be an alcoholic. And drinking a near beer isn't going to make that or change that.

If your child has the genetics, then that makes it all the more important to be talking and educating, watching and listening.

Doing or not doing one thing isn't going to change anything, its a combination of all of it. Drinking a fake beer isn't going to make one iota of difference.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Candy cigarettes are just that - candy! If they made a cigarette that only had 1/10th the amount of nicotine as a regular cigarette, would anyone allow a 12 year old to smoke those because it would take 10 cigarettes to get the amount of nicotine one cigarette provides?

No way, for 2 reasons:

1. There is no "safe" smoking level IMO, whereas there are safe drinking levels - smoking is gross and I don't even want my kids to try it (all my opinion, of course!)
2. Nicotine is pretty addictive, much more so than alcohol. It is easy for many people to be social drinkers (obviously true alcoholics can't be), whereas it is harder to be just a social smoker (though I do know a few people who have managed it). In any case, even 4 cigarettes a week is more than I'd want my kids smoking - their lungs are very important organs, and I don't want them to mess them up.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey LuvsJack,

I kind of see what you are saying.
But, again, my opinion still stands.

I do not see a fruity, slushie, punch as a problem, AT ALL.
I don't see that the fact that it may come in a real glass makes one teeny tiny bit of difference either.

It is not the semantics, it is the product.
If a kid wants to drink root-beer out of a tall bottle...
Have at it...
Beer comes in a can, just like soda.

I don't care what one calls it... It is not the semantics here.
It is not the fact that it is called a Mocktail, or O'Doul's, or whatever.
I have not, and would not, buy this product for my son. And would not buy 'cigarettes' that have the taste and 'experience' (menthol and smoke) of the real thing.

I would not want my kid going around puffing on an electronic smokeless cigarette either. I think this is a good analogy.... I just wouldn't. End of story.

Your opinion may differ.
whatever.......

You did, indeed, quote me, and respond - complete with exclamation marks... Don't know why every discussion has to become a personal "debate"...

 

[U2_rocks!]

Oh, I forgot about those electronic cigarettes! No way would I be letting them "smoke" those - what's the point? I know they help smokers cut down or quit, but what is the point for non-smokers?

At least alcoholic drinks are actually beverages, and in moderation they serve the same purpose as drinking a plain Coke or a lemonade. In social situations they can break the ice a little. I do see the point of beverages, that sometimes may contain something alcoholic. I guess I don't see the point of smoking a cigarette that isn't "real" unless you are already a smoker trying to quit. Then again, I've never been a smoker so I don't understand the attraction. I suppose non-drinkers could say the same ......

 

[cornflake]

I don't like it. Why does a child that young need to mimic adult behavior? When I was little (many, many years ago) they made chocolate cigarettes - pink box for girls, blue box for boys. Looking back, I was being "primed" to smoke. *I* think there is plenty of time to experiment as a teenager, why rush it?

Because that's what children do? Mimic adult behaviour.

Have you never seen children tending baby dolls? Cooking play food on a play stove? Playing dress up? Drvinig toy cars? Etc., etc., etc. That's what children do.

However, while I agree with the majority of your post, I am also certain that "glamorizing" alcohol during youth is a factor in alcoholism. Allowing a kid to drink a fake beer or a virgin drink in a fancy glass is like letting them "play grown up". Kids want to be grown up, and if you allow them to see that as cool, worldly, suave, it's a step towards alcoholism. If it's the ONLY step, likely no harm'll be done. But rarely is it the only step.

I don't understand this. It seems to be equating ANY drinking with alcoholism.

Yes, letting kids drink a fake beer or cocktail is letting them play grown up. Grown ups drink alcohol. The vast majority of grown ups aren't alcoholics, but do drink alcohol. How is letting a kid have a fake cocktail a step toward alcoholism and not a step toward a healthy relationship with alcohol?

Is letting a kid have a baby doll a step towards turning them into a child abuser?

 

[Wishing on a star]

I know that kids 'mimic' behaviors.
But, in no way am I buying the fact that this makes it okay and good for children to mimic behaviors that are to be allowed for adults only.
That argument is just

 

[cornflake]

I know that kids 'mimic' behaviors.
But, in no way am I buying the fact that this makes it okay and good for children to mimic behaviors that are to be allowed for adults only.
That argument is just

Well for lots of people, drinking isn't for adults only.

Though... kids play 'get married,' and dress up as bride and groom and have a play ceremony, kids take care of 'their' baby dolls - those are behaviours that are supposed to be adult only.

 

[hambirg]

I don't get the candy cigarettes argument either - I've seen many a kid pretend smoke with straws or anything long and thin. Mimicry is natural for kids - doesn't mean they're going to grow up and actually do the real thing. Just like how kids use sticks and anything like that as guns if you refuse to buy toy guns. It's just pretend play.

I understand that. .. and it was actually part of my point. They will find a way to do those things on their own. They don't need encouragement from me. Does that make sense? I have a pretty liberal view about drinking. My ex is German and my parents allowed us to have the occasional drink growing up, before legal age. I just don't see the point of allowing a child as young as 12 to have fake drinks. And lets be honest, a yummy slushie type drink, like a virgin pina colada, tastes good. It can just be a yummy slushie and doesn't have to be promoted as a cocktail. But an O'doul's? YUCK! What kid would even like that?

 

[luvsJack]

Hey LuvsJack,

I kind of see what you are saying.
But, again, my opinion still stands.

I do not see a fruity, slushie, punch as a problem, AT ALL.
I don't see that the fact that it may come in a real glass makes one teeny tiny bit of difference either.

It is not the semantics, it is the product.
If a kid wants to drink root-beer out of a tall bottle...
Have at it...
Beer comes in a can, just like soda.

I don't care what one calls it... It is not the semantics here.
It is not the fact that it is called a Mocktail, or O'Doul's, or whatever.
I have not, and would not, buy this product for my son. And would not buy 'cigarettes' that have the taste and 'experience' (menthol and smoke) of the real thing.

I would not want my kid going around puffing on an electronic smokeless cigarette either. I think this is a good analogy.... I just wouldn't. End of story.

Your opinion may differ.
whatever.......

You did, indeed, quote me, and respond - complete with exclamation marks... Don't know why every discussion has to become a personal "debate"...

Like I said, that wasn't my intention; I did not mean that it wasn't YOUR business--as in the personal you. I was only commenting about the slushy, fruity stuff.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I understand that. .. and it was actually part of my point. They will find a way to do those things on their own. They don't need encouragement from me. Does that make sense? I have a pretty liberal view about drinking. My ex is German and my parents allowed us to have the occasional drink growing up, before legal age. I just don't see the point of allowing a child as young as 12 to have fake drinks. And lets be honest, a yummy slushie type drink, like a virgin pina colada, tastes good. It can just be a yummy slushie and doesn't have to be promoted as a cocktail. But an O'doul's? YUCK! What kid would even like that?

My son likes the taste of beer, always has! My daughters hate it though. It's often up to individual taste - they may never like it, like me. Beer was fairly accessible to me from about 13, and I hated it - have never acquired the taste. I have grown to like a good wine with a good meal, and it's fun to mix fruity cocktails. Sometimes when my friends and I get together I keep it simple and just have a really good quality rum with some soda and a splash of coke (aka swamp water). But I don't think I'll ever like beer. I can't really comment on O'Doul's specifically because we don't get that here.

 

[hambirg]

I agree with you in that kids that mimic adult behavior are not necessarily going to grow up doing the real thing (drinking, smoking, etc.)

However, there is a big difference between candy cigarettes and O'douls.

Candy cigarettes are just that - candy! If they made a cigarette that only had 1/10th the amount of nicotine as a regular cigarette, would anyone allow a 12 year old to smoke those because it would take 10 cigarettes to get the amount of nicotine one cigarette provides?

I think this is a good point. It made me think about those e-cigarettes. Some have little or no nicotine. I still wouldn't want my 12 year old smoking them.

While I think it's the parent's choice in these situations, I used to know a couple that had "cocktail hour" every Friday for their 6 and 4 yr old. They watched movies and they drank slushie concoctions. While I don't have anything against the drinks per se, I just don't see the logic in calling it "cocktail hour" for your young children.

 

[princessmom29]

I understand that. .. and it was actually part of my point. They will find a way to do those things on their own. They don't need encouragement from me. Does that make sense? I have a pretty liberal view about drinking. My ex is German and my parents allowed us to have the occasional drink growing up, before legal age. I just don't see the point of allowing a child as young as 12 to have fake drinks. And lets be honest, a yummy slushie type drink, like a virgin pina colada, tastes good. It can just be a yummy slushie and doesn't have to be promoted as a cocktail. But an O'doul's? YUCK! What kid would even like that?

the whole point of anyone serving "virgin" cocktails is so that the kids have an alternatine when the parents are having the real thing. Nobody makes pina coladas for the kids jus to do it. If you are making slushies you don't go out of your way to make them like cocktails. As for kids liking the taste, my sister has always liked the taste of beer, even as a kid. She would sneak sips of dad's just becuase she liked it. My mother and I never cared for it.

 

[jewjubean]

I might have left the party had I witnessed this. I'm only 22 and have always felt uncomfortable with minors drinking. Let alone someone who is 12! Odoules does have alcohol in it.

 

[princessmom29]

I might have left the party had I witnessed this. I'm only 22 and have always felt uncomfortable with minors drinking. Let along someone under 16!

but they weren't drinking. O'douls is non alcoholic.

 

[jewjubean]

but they weren't drinking. O'douls is non alcoholic.

Odouls has alcohol in it. It is considered "non alcoholic" because of the LOW alcohol content. If you look at the bottle it does state it on the bottle.

 

[jewjubean]

You still have to be 21 to purchase this in a grocery store or a restaurant. Trust me I live in south Louisiana and we drink from a Very early age. I am a corporate trainer for a well known "wing and bar" franchise, I've been to tons of alcohol classes put out by the beer companies that sell beer. It does have alcohol in it, even if it's a small amount. It's like lacing brownies with pot, even if it's a small ammout you have still digested it and it will be in your system.

 

[hambirg]

the whole point of anyone serving "virgin" cocktails is so that the kids have an alternatine when the parents are having the real thing. Nobody makes pina coladas for the kids jus to do it. If you are making slushies you don't go out of your way to make them like cocktails. As for kids liking the taste, my sister has always liked the taste of beer, even as a kid. She would sneak sips of dad's just becuase she liked it. My mother and I never cared for it.

Yeah, I get that. I just thought it was weird to call it "cocktail hour" for the kids.

I used to get sips of my parent's drink when I was young. Maybe I'm weird, but I'm actually more comfortable with that then letting the 12yr old drink 2 cans of fake beer. It's just my personal opinion. I don't see the point.

 

[FireDancer]

You still have to be 21 to purchase this in a grocery store or a restaurant. Trust me I live in south Louisiana and we drink from a Very early age. I am a corporate trainer for a well known "wing and bar" franchise, I've been to tons of alcohol classes put out by the beer companies that sell beer. It does have alcohol in it, even if it's a small amount. It's like lacing brownies with pot, even if it's a small ammout you have still digested it and it will be in your system.

But as was pointed out earlier some places have exceptions which grants parents permission to allow their kids to drink if they are present. If that is the case in the state (or county) where this party took place no law was broken.

As far as I know there aren't any laws that allow for giving your children pot brownies.

 

[jewjubean]

At 12 there are more things kids should be worrying about than drinking beer.

 

[jewjubean]

Yes there are laws that state that a parent can choose if they wish to serve the child drinks. They have every right to. My personal opinion is I wouldn't feel comfortable in being with people who choose to let their 12 year old drink. My statement was to point out that it does have alcohol in it.