Too Smart To Start An underage alcohol use prevention initiative for parents, caregivers, and their 9- to 13-year-old children Demorest Elementary School Alaina Conner, MS, NCC School Counselor

n 9- to 13-year-olds (lifelong health behaviors are established ) n Parents (underestimate their child’s vulnerability to alcohol and their own ability to affect their child’s decisions to use alcohol) Partners in Prevention **Family is a major influence on children’s alcohol use…

Who Are 9- to 13-Year-Olds? n 21 million in the U.S. (7% of U.S. pop.) n Positive and optimistic about their futures n Influenced by TV, music, the Internet n 55% are being raised in households with annual incomes of at least $40,000 n 21 million in the U.S. (7% of U.S. pop.) n Positive and optimistic about their futures n Influenced by TV, music, the Internet n 55% are being raised in households with annual incomes of at least $40,000 Ferret, 2002; Nickelodeon/Yankelovich, 2001; Rideout et al, 1999

Diverse More Racial and Ethnic Diversity Than Their Parents U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

The 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are In Transition n Their bodies are changing n They become independent thinkers n They develop a sense of self and independence Pan American Health Organization, 2001; American Psychological Association, 2002; E.W. Austin, 1995

Minds n Begin to understand that actions have consequences n Problem-solving skills are evolving n Begin to understand logical and causal relationships n Start to take risks n Begin to understand that actions have consequences n Problem-solving skills are evolving n Begin to understand logical and causal relationships n Start to take risks Pan American Health Organization, 2001; American Psychological Association, 2002; E.W. Austin, 1995

New Sense of Self n Friends are extremely important n Nine- to thirteen-year-olds begin questioning adult values and rules n They begin to establish identity and independence n Friends are extremely important n Nine- to thirteen-year-olds begin questioning adult values and rules n They begin to establish identity and independence Pan American Health Organization, 2001; American Psychological Association, 2002; E.W. Austin, 1995

The 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are In Transition “I really want to change my appearance.” 9- to 11-year-old respondents to the 2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth MONITOR Survey

The 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are Vulnerable n Vulnerability to alcohol initiation is heightened during periods of change n Around age 10 or 11 children begin to approve of underage alcohol use n More than 40% of children who use alcohol before age 15 abuse alcohol or become dependent later in life n Vulnerability to alcohol initiation is heightened during periods of change n Around age 10 or 11 children begin to approve of underage alcohol use n More than 40% of children who use alcohol before age 15 abuse alcohol or become dependent later in life Johnson et al, 2001; NIAAA, D.A. Dawson, 1997; NIDA, Sloboda, and David, 1997; SAMHSA/CSAP, 1999

Use and Access to Alcohol by 9- to 13-year-olds n Most 9- to 13-year-olds do not use alcohol n Past year alcohol use varies by grade and type of alcohol: n Most 9- to 13-year-olds do not use alcohol n Past year alcohol use varies by grade and type of alcohol: n Consumption of wine coolers ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 36% of eighth graders n Consumption of beer ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 34% of eighth graders n Consumption of liquor ranged from 2% of fourth graders to 27% of eighth graders n Consumption of wine coolers ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 36% of eighth graders n Consumption of beer ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 34% of eighth graders n Consumption of liquor ranged from 2% of fourth graders to 27% of eighth graders PRIDE 2000; PRIDE

Use and Access to Alcohol by 9- to 13-year-olds (continued) n Youths’ expectations that they will use alcohol turn from negative to positive at age 10 or 11 n The average age of first alcohol use is 13 n Youths’ expectations that they will use alcohol turn from negative to positive at age 10 or 11 n The average age of first alcohol use is 13 PRIDE 2000

Boys vs. Girls n Boys try alcohol as early as 11 and experience more alcohol-related problems than girls n Girls try alcohol as early as 13 n Boys try alcohol as early as 11 and experience more alcohol-related problems than girls n Girls try alcohol as early as 13

Youth per Type of Household Percent of Children 9 to 11 by Type of Household 2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth MONITOR Percent of Children 9 to 11 by Type of Household 2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth MONITOR * * May or may not be biological parents

Parents: Key to Prevention n Mothers and fathers of 9- to 13-year- olds are especially influential n Waiting to talk to children until they are older allows peers to have more influence n Mothers and fathers of 9- to 13-year- olds are especially influential n Waiting to talk to children until they are older allows peers to have more influence ONDCP, 2001; SAMHSA/CSAP Parenting and Strengthening Families Program, 1999; SAMHSA Fact Sheet: The role of parents in preventing and addressing underage drinking, 1999

Parents Are Influential But Might Not Know It n Major influence on youth alcohol use and related behaviors n Parents underestimate their children’s vulnerability to alcohol use n Major influence on youth alcohol use and related behaviors n Parents underestimate their children’s vulnerability to alcohol use MADD, 2001; SAMHSA/CSAP Too Smart To Start, 2002; ONDCP, 2001

What Are Parents Thinking? n Many parents lack accurate perception about the harms of underage alcohol use n Parents see underage alcohol use as “more acceptable” than using illegal drugs n Many parents lack accurate perception about the harms of underage alcohol use n Parents see underage alcohol use as “more acceptable” than using illegal drugs MADD, 2001; SAMHSA/CSAP Too Smart To Start, 2002

Parents Need Encouragement n Believe they lack the skills to communicate with their children n Perceive themselves as having little influence over their children n Have, and desire, a high level of involvement with their children n Believe they lack the skills to communicate with their children n Perceive themselves as having little influence over their children n Have, and desire, a high level of involvement with their children They: CASA, 1999; Nickelodeon National Survey of Parents and Kids, 2001; Mitchell, 2000

When Parents Get Involved... n Become more responsible n Feel more appreciated n Readily follow parents’ guidance n Respond more positively to expectations n Become more responsible n Feel more appreciated n Readily follow parents’ guidance n Respond more positively to expectations Children: …children respond SAMHSA/CSAP Parenting and Family Strengthening Program, 1999

Barriers to Success n Family: Parents are more concerned with drug use than with alcohol use n Social: Some parents are comfortable with alcohol use as a “rite of passage” n Peer: Perception that their peers have experimented with alcohol n Community: Alcohol is socially acceptable n National: Lack of funding n Family: Parents are more concerned with drug use than with alcohol use n Social: Some parents are comfortable with alcohol use as a “rite of passage” n Peer: Perception that their peers have experimented with alcohol n Community: Alcohol is socially acceptable n National: Lack of funding MADD, 2001; CASA, 1999; PRIDE, 2002; SAMHSA/CSAP, 2001

Together Everything Fits n 9- to 13- year-olds n Parents/ caregivers

The Keys to Success n Positive attitude — reinforces positive behaviors n Respect 9- to 13-year-olds — empowers them to make the right decisions n Dialogue — keeps the doors open and encourages mutual respect n Establish and maintain good communication with 9- to 13-year-olds n Positive attitude — reinforces positive behaviors n Respect 9- to 13-year-olds — empowers them to make the right decisions n Dialogue — keeps the doors open and encourages mutual respect n Establish and maintain good communication with 9- to 13-year-olds

The Keys to Success (continued) n Get involved in 9- to 13-year-olds’ lives n Make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences n Be a positive role model n Help 9- to 13-year-olds with the need for peer acceptance n Monitor 9- to 13-year-olds’ activities n Get involved in 9- to 13-year-olds’ lives n Make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences n Be a positive role model n Help 9- to 13-year-olds with the need for peer acceptance n Monitor 9- to 13-year-olds’ activities

Too Smart To Start An underage alcohol use prevention initiative for parents, caregivers, and their 9- to 13-year-old children