Parents are leading influence in preventing teen drinking, survey finds

Washington – Parents are the leading influence in a teen’s decision to not drink alcohol, and parental influence has increased significantly over the past 10 years, according to a survey from The Century Council.

Researchers cfrom the nonprofit organization onducted a nationally representative online survey of more than 500 parents and youths between 10 and 18 years old in February. The results were compared to a similar poll conducted in May 2003. Among the current survey’s results:

• 83 percent of youth consider parental influence their leading factor in abstaining from drinking – up 28 percent proportionately from 2003.
• Teachers and friends/peers are tied for second-leading influence, at 33 percent.
• 46 percent of parents surveyed reported initiating discussions on alcohol on four or more occasions in the past year, and 42 percent of youths reported initiating the discussion four or more times in the past year.