Teens drinking at Epcot

[poohandwendy]

No, I would not do that in a public setting. Just for the fact that I am placing the waiter and the establishment in a very bad position by doing it. A taste of alcohol is not worth the loss of employment and fines that could result, even the remote chance is not worth the 'taste' of a drink.

 

[phamton]

However, there is no dispensation for minors drinking alcohol in public. None. Zero. Zip. It's 100% illegal.

Actually that is not correct. I personally don't drink but lived my entire life in Texas and it is perfectly legal in Texas for a parent to give alcohol to their minor child even in public:

§ 106.04 – Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
(a–b) A minor commits an offense if they consume alcohol unless they are in the visible presence of, and have the consent of their adult parent, legal guardian, or spouse.
http://www.gdcada.org/coalitions/aloud/law.htm#10604


Texas
- No one under the age of 21 is allowed to purchase, posses, or consume alcohol. Possession and consumption of alcohol is legal for minors if under the supervision of a parent, guardian or spouse.

The same is true in New York and a few other states. In some other states a parent can give alcohol to their child is long as it is not in public. In Texas, you can technically take your kid to the bars with you and buy them a beer. That doesn't mean that someone might not call Child Protective Services on the parent but legally it isn't against the law and I've seen it plenty of times at restaurants and drinking establishement. The parent must be there and buy the drink but they can give it to their minor child even if the Chief of Police is sitting at the next barstool.

In Florida, it is against the law to serve alcohol to a minor even if you are the parent.

http://www.youthrights.org/dastatelist.shtml

 

[poohandwendy]

Originally Posted by jjarman
I only pictured me and DS16, 6 feet tall and counting, looking at least 21, walking around World Showcase after a meal at San Angel Inn and watching Illuminations and maybe letting him have his own marguerita. I never thought it would come to this. You think I may have my first locked thread?

Just a few questions for the OP, would that scene be any less enjoyable if your son was walking around with a virgin marguerita? And if so, why? What is it about that amount of alcohol that will make the 'mother/son walking around WS 'scene more enjoyable for you or him?

Also, you mentioned that you 'know' he will be asking. Why is that? Why does he expect this rite of passage, so to speak?

I am just trying to understand why alcohol is an important part of the equation. I mean, I have let my kids sip/taste drinks before, but I have never actually envisioned a specific scene of us drinking together like that, ahead of time. It has always been more of an on-the-spot decision. Not a pre-planned parent/child bonding moment type of thing.

 

[Planogirl]

Actually that is not correct. I personally don't drink but lived my entire life in Texas and it is perfectly legal in Texas for a parent to give alcohol to their minor child even in public:

§ 106.04 – Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
(a–b) A minor commits an offense if they consume alcohol unless they are in the visible presence of, and have the consent of their adult parent, legal guardian, or spouse.
http://www.gdcada.org/coalitions/aloud/law.htm#10604


Texas
- No one under the age of 21 is allowed to purchase, posses, or consume alcohol. Possession and consumption of alcohol is legal for minors if under the supervision of a parent, guardian or spouse.

The same is true in New York and a few other states. In some other states a parent can give alcohol to their child is long as it is not in public. In Texas, you can technically take your kid to the bars with you and buy them a beer. That doesn't mean that someone might not call Child Protective Services on the parent but legally it isn't against the law and I've seen it plenty of times at restaurants and drinking establishement. The parent must be there and buy the drink but they can give it to their minor child even if the Chief of Police is sitting at the next barstool.

In Florida, it is against the law to serve alcohol to a minor even if you are the parent.

http://www.youthrights.org/dastatelist.shtml

I was wondering when someone would mention that parents can buy their kids drinks in Texas. I thought that it was only allowed in an establishment that served food though. Aren't minors banned from actual bars?

 

[AnnetteF]

Just wanted to relay a story - in 1981 I was 18 and legally able to drink here in the state of Connecticut. As others have said, my parents had introduced me to a small glass of wine in our home, usually on holidays, at around age 15-16, so drinking was no big deal to me. When I turned 18, the only thing I would order was a Pina Colada - they tasted so good.

We went to WDW in the Fall of 1982 when I was 18 but the legal drinking age in Florida was then 19. We went up to the Top of the World lounge in the Contemporary and knowing about the laws in Florida, I ordered a soda. My father questioned me in front of the waitress and asked if I wanted a Pina Colada. I told him the legal age there was 19, but our waitress said that as long as my parents were there and ordering it for me, that was fine. I got to enjoy my Pina Colada.

I realize there might be a big difference with a 16 year old who is now 5 years away from the legal limit, but it just made me think of that story and I wonder what Disney's actual policies would be regarding this situation.

 

[phamton]

I was wondering when someone would mention that parents can buy their kids drinks in Texas. I thought that it was only allowed in an establishment that served food though. Aren't minors banned from actual bars?

No, not if they are with a parent. Believe me, it wasn't unusual to see a dad with his son at a local pool hall and bar having a beer in Amarillo. I was raised in a "dry" county and was shocked to see minors being served alcohol in public in the "big city." (Big City meaning Lubbock and Amarillo---I was from a small town in the Panhandle of West Texas.)

Now certain bars may exclude minors but it is their rule and not the law. I know lots of clubs didn't allow minors even if they were with a parent but it wasn't because of the law but just a requirement they set. If the child is with the parent, it isn't illegal though.

 

[arminnie]

I was wondering when someone would mention that parents can buy their kids drinks in Texas.

I was just about to ask if that was still true. I saw someone order a mimosa for their SIX year old daughter (actually the daughter ordered it and the parents said ok) at a brunch years ago in Houston.

It's legal for a minor (may have to be 18) to consume alcohol in a private residence (including dorm rooms) in LA.

edited to add for LA:
<LI>Youth Consumption of Alcohol
Comments:
Exceptions: Parent/guardian/spouse gives consent AND is present OR In private residence OR Other religious, educational, medicinal</SPAN>
<LI>Youth Possession of Alcohol
Comments:
Exceptions: Parent/guardian/spouse gives consent AND is present OR In private residence OR Other religious, educational, medicinal</SPAN>

 

[mattsdragon]

only pictured me and DS16, 6 feet tall and counting, looking at least 21, walking around World Showcase after a meal at San Angel Inn and watching Illuminations and maybe letting him have his own marguerita

Just because your son looks 21 to you doesn't mean he looks old enough to drink to trained professionals. After seeing hundreds of people on boats drinking, I know what to spot, and if they look even close to underage, I'm asking for ID. Don't put your son or yourself in that position.

Sipping, ok, whole drink, unacceptable.

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

If I am with my children and I have a tropical drink such as a margarita, I usually let the kids order a non-alcoholic drink such as a virgin pina colada or virgin daiquiri (please excuse the spelling). My teenager is fine with it.

At special occasions, I have let my kids have a sip of alcoholic drinks but I wouldn't do it at Disney.

 

[stemikger]

originally posted by jjarman
Here is the flame alert. Do any of you allow your teen to have a drink in Epcot? I know he is going to ask and I think I know my answer but wanted to see what others do.

My dad used to do this with me on vacations. It was actually a good bonding experience. I'm a parent now, and I don't see anything wrong with letting your 16 year old share some of your drink. In Italy it is very common for the children to have wine with dinner.

I don't think you should be flamed for this. I rather see how my kid handles drinking while I'm around, before they go out partying with their friends.

 

[rayelias]

To all the posters who say it's OK to give your child a sip, or say it's OK to drink at home...

I have a question for you.

Would you allow your 15 year old to "just have a puff" of a cigarette? Afterall, how else is he/she going to learn how to smoke? Would you buy cigarettes for your minor child and allow them to smoke in your home, as long as they're under your supervision?

Or, how about just a sniffle of cocaine. I mean, if they're going to be around friends that do it, how else are they going to learn what it's like. Better them do it around you than elsewhere, right? So long as it's at home.

Where is the respect for the law? I am dumbfounded at some of the responses on this thread.

I'm also curious about the logical reasons that a "special occasion" calls for a sip of alchohol. What's so special about alchohol that it is so important to give your child a drink at "special occasions?" Why does it have to be alchohol? Something wrong with giving someone a Pepsi as a special occasion? Do you even recognize that you've been brainwashed to think that alchohol is some sort of reward or bonus? And you're teaching your children the same thing.

Alchohol is a very dangerous, addictive drug. Just because they label it up all pretty, make it taste good, and market it to make you think it's sophisticated and adult doesn't make it any less dangerous or addictive.

 

[KimR]

To all the posters who say it's OK to give your child a sip, or say it's OK to drink at home...

I have a question for you.

Would you allow your 15 year old to "just have a puff" of a cigarette? Afterall, how else is he/she going to learn how to smoke? Would you buy cigarettes for your minor child and allow them to smoke in your home, as long as they're under your supervision?

Or, how about just a sniffle of cocaine. I mean, if they're going to be around friends that do it, how else are they going to learn what it's like. Better them do it around you than elsewhere, right? So long as it's at home.

Absolutely not. The difference is I do not want my child to smoke or do cocaine - ever. Those activities are totally unacceptable to us. However, I have no problem with responsible drinking and if my 14-year-old DD wanted a sip or two here at home I'd have no problem with it.

Funny thing about how times have changed. I was around 14 or 15 and in a restaurant with my parents. The waiter was taking drink orders and I, obviously underage, jokingly ordered a whiskey sour. The waiter turned to my parents and told them that he'd get me one if it was ok with them. Much to my surprise and delight, I got my whiskey sour. I can also remember many times as a teenager my Dad would go to the restaurant bar and order a drink for me. I can't imagine doing anything like that these days.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

comparing alcohol to cigarrettes or cocain is like comparing apples to oranges. Alcohol consumed responsibly in small amounts is in no way deadly or dangerous. In fact, there are many studies to show that it can actually have health benefits. Cigarrettes and cocaine are toxic and deadly, even in small amounts.

We have 3 or 4 special dinners a year where I allow my two older boys a small glass of wine or champagne if they choose -- Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve etc. They usually both want a glass poured, they take a couple of sips, make a face, and ask for Pepsi.

I wouldn't be adverse to letting them have a sip of my drink at EPCOT - they've never asked however so it hasn't come up.

 

[Evil Queen]

To all the posters who say it's OK to give your child a sip, or say it's OK to drink at home...

I have a question for you.

Would you allow your 15 year old to "just have a puff" of a cigarette? Afterall, how else is he/she going to learn how to smoke? Would you buy cigarettes for your minor child and allow them to smoke in your home, as long as they're under your supervision?

Or, how about just a sniffle of cocaine. I mean, if they're going to be around friends that do it, how else are they going to learn what it's like. Better them do it around you than elsewhere, right? So long as it's at home.

Where is the respect for the law? I am dumbfounded at some of the responses on this thread.

I'm also curious about the logical reasons that a "special occasion" calls for a sip of alchohol. What's so special about alchohol that it is so important to give your child a drink at "special occasions?" Why does it have to be alchohol? Something wrong with giving someone a Pepsi as a special occasion? Do you even recognize that you've been brainwashed to think that alchohol is some sort of reward or bonus? And you're teaching your children the same thing.

Alchohol is a very dangerous, addictive drug. Just because they label it up all pretty, make it taste good, and market it to make you think it's sophisticated and adult doesn't make it any less dangerous or addictive.

On cigarettes, probably, at that age. My oldest, when he tried his first cigarette, with his friends, on school property (our high school had an area you could go smoke) was younger than that. I caught him, because to this day when he sees me I get a kiss from him (his own doing) and even though I smoke, I could smell it on him. I didn't say anything then, I wanted to see if he smelled like it again. Not for several years, did I smell it on him. I asked him about it a couple of years later and he admitted it tried it. But he wouldn't smoke, because he played the flute in band, and was scared it would take too much from him. He did start smoking daily after highschool, when he was 19. He was scared to tell me he smoked, I found out on our way to Disney, his friend got him to admit it to me. I don't like it, but at 19 he's an adult.

As for cocaine, nope. That isn't sold legally at any age. And being I don't do it, there would be no reason for me to let him "try" it.

My son, has a drink with dinner when we go out to eat. Rarely at home, except for a grill out now and then. He is of legal drinking age. He did get sips growing up.

As for special occasions, everyone will have their own. I know what special occasions were for us, and that's all that matters.

When I have a drink, I don't think of it as a reward. As for teaching my child that, well, I guess that depends how someone takes it.

Like I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't try it at Disney-myself.

 

[JLTraveling]

To all the posters who say it's OK to give your child a sip, or say it's OK to drink at home...

I have a question for you.

Would you allow your 15 year old to "just have a puff" of a cigarette? Afterall, how else is he/she going to learn how to smoke? Would you buy cigarettes for your minor child and allow them to smoke in your home, as long as they're under your supervision?

Or, how about just a sniffle of cocaine. I mean, if they're going to be around friends that do it, how else are they going to learn what it's like. Better them do it around you than elsewhere, right? So long as it's at home.

Where is the respect for the law? I am dumbfounded at some of the responses on this thread.

I'm also curious about the logical reasons that a "special occasion" calls for a sip of alchohol. What's so special about alchohol that it is so important to give your child a drink at "special occasions?" Why does it have to be alchohol? Something wrong with giving someone a Pepsi as a special occasion? Do you even recognize that you've been brainwashed to think that alchohol is some sort of reward or bonus? And you're teaching your children the same thing.

Alchohol is a very dangerous, addictive drug. Just because they label it up all pretty, make it taste good, and market it to make you think it's sophisticated and adult doesn't make it any less dangerous or addictive.

I'm one of those who thinks it's okay for teens to have alcohol in a controlled setting. Guess what? I also think it's okay for them to smoke cigarettes at home. That's probably going to split down a line between smokers and non-smokers. I started smoking when I was 16 (without parental permission, my dad, who smokes, told me he'd "kill me" if he ever caught me smoking). I was 16 or 17 when I finally told my mom, who then told my dad. They were so relieved it wasn't anything worse (I built it up pretty heavy when I came clean), that they were then okay with it -- not okay, really, but accepting. What I learned from that is that if someone's going to smoke, they're going to smoke, whether or not their parents approve, and it stops the lying and sneaking around if you just let them do it.
Cocaine or other drugs? Nope, not in the house, not around me. Same rule for my kids that I've had for every friend/roommate/boyfriend/husband, it's completely illegal for anyone regardless of age to possess it, and if I'm the homeowner or on the lease, it's technically in my possession too. That's a legal battle I'm not willing to wage. Now, whether I believe that certain drugs, especially pot, *should* be illegal, that's a whole different debate. But I'm not going to jail because someone who lives in my house wants to use drugs. If I found out my kid was doing it elsewhere, we would have a reasoned conversation about the drug, its effects, and their risks. "Just Say No" doesn't work and never has.

 

[stemikger]

I'm going to say something I never said to anyone on these boards and I might even get called on it, but. . .

YOU SOUND LIKE A COMPLETE IDIOT.

Children in Italy have been drinking wine at dinner since the age of 7. Millions of kids drink their grandfathers wine and very few have become adults with drinking problems. Comparing a little sip at 16 is not the same as smoking and snorting cocaine. You have displayed a very ignorant few here and I should not be responding to such a foolish statement, but you just got my goat.

I hope you reconsider your opinion, and apologize for such a stupid reply to this post.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Alcohol is not cigarettes or cocaine. As others have said I doubt there's an amount of cigarette or cocaine use that's ok. Also, it's legal to allow your minor child to consume alcohol in your own home or on a private residence in alot of states. It is here in NJ, so check your laws.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I always think back to going away to college. It seemed to me that the kids who's parents were super strict about alchohol were the ones that got into the worst trouble. The ones who's parents were reasonable didn't seem to feel the need to go crazy

 

[NeverlandClub23]

To all the posters who say it's OK to give your child a sip, or say it's OK to drink at home...

I have a question for you.

Would you allow your 15 year old to "just have a puff" of a cigarette? Afterall, how else is he/she going to learn how to smoke? Would you buy cigarettes for your minor child and allow them to smoke in your home, as long as they're under your supervision?

Or, how about just a sniffle of cocaine. I mean, if they're going to be around friends that do it, how else are they going to learn what it's like. Better them do it around you than elsewhere, right? So long as it's at home.

Where is the respect for the law? I am dumbfounded at some of the responses on this thread.

I'm also curious about the logical reasons that a "special occasion" calls for a sip of alchohol. What's so special about alchohol that it is so important to give your child a drink at "special occasions?" Why does it have to be alchohol? Something wrong with giving someone a Pepsi as a special occasion? Do you even recognize that you've been brainwashed to think that alchohol is some sort of reward or bonus? And you're teaching your children the same thing.

Alchohol is a very dangerous, addictive drug. Just because they label it up all pretty, make it taste good, and market it to make you think it's sophisticated and adult doesn't make it any less dangerous or addictive.

I agree with you. I'm 24 and was never allowed a "sip" when I was younger. Neither did I want one. My parents hardly ever drank around me and they never made it seem like it's something "special" so it had no importance to me. But on the other hand a lot of my friends were allowed "sips" and some of them went crazy in college and some of them didn't. I think it's more of the person drinking than how they were raised.

**And not to sound like I'm superior to anyone else or my views are any better but isn't there any way here on the Dis for people to be able to state their opinions without people being extremely rude back to them? There's nothing wrong with a debate but I don't understand rude posts. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion but there's a nice way to say your opinion (which a lot of people on here have). Almost every thread I've been on lately it's just ridiculous that people feel the need to call other people names or be very rude to them. It's completely unnecessary. I just don't understand it.

 

[ducklite]

To all the posters who say it's OK to give your child a sip, or say it's OK to drink at home...

I have a question for you.

Would you allow your 15 year old to "just have a puff" of a cigarette? Afterall, how else is he/she going to learn how to smoke? Would you buy cigarettes for your minor child and allow them to smoke in your home, as long as they're under your supervision?

Or, how about just a sniffle of cocaine. I mean, if they're going to be around friends that do it, how else are they going to learn what it's like. Better them do it around you than elsewhere, right? So long as it's at home.

The difference is that alcohol in moderation isn't damaging to ones health. Even a small amount of cocaine can have long term health problems (including damage brain cell damage) and exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cancer.

Where is the respect for the law? I am dumbfounded at some of the responses on this thread.

The law in most states is that you are free to serve your child alcohol in your home.

I'm also curious about the logical reasons that a "special occasion" calls for a sip of alchohol. What's so special about alchohol that it is so important to give your child a drink at "special occasions?" Why does it have to be alchohol? Something wrong with giving someone a Pepsi as a special occasion? Do you even recognize that you've been brainwashed to think that alchohol is some sort of reward or bonus? And you're teaching your children the same thing.

My son is now 20. I often enjoy a glass of wine in the evening or with dinner, and offer the same to him, no event needed. Most of my family on drinks wine at special events, and children are included if they choose to be. A couple tablespoons of wine is not going to cause harm to a child. We don't give them eight ounces and a refill if they suck it down like choclate milk. I never withheld soda or candy from my child, and he consumes a small to moderate amount of each. I recall when he was younger his friends would come over and go nuts because they never got either at home. Having it available on a regular basis made my son not really make a big deal about it.

Alchohol is a very dangerous, addictive drug. Just because they label it up all pretty, make it taste good, and market it to make you think it's sophisticated and adult doesn't make it any less dangerous or addictive.

It can be dangerous and addictive. But *most* people can consume a moderate amount of alcohol without NEEDING to. Most also have the common sense to not drink and drive or binge drink. And there are definite and medically proven benefits to a moderate consumption of wine.

Anne