Skip to content

Middle-class Tweens More Likely to Try Alcohol

More than one in three of those born in professional households had downed a full glass before reaching their teenage years, the statistics show.

The 35 per cent figure among the middle classes is almost twice the level found among 12-year-olds across all economic groups.

Experts said that most children who had drunk alcohol at such a young age were getting it from their own homes.  While some were secretly raiding well-stocked drinks cabinets, many more were being allowed to drink by parents who believed that it would help them to develop more mature attitudes towards alcohol.

Read full news article here

Read the research press release here

Chris

Chris

Chris Hudson is an Australian Youth Specialist, Parent Coach, and Educator dedicated to helping adults build authentic relationships with teenagers. With over 25 years of experience, he shares insights on navigating the dynamic world of adolescence through his platform, Understanding Teenagers. When not coaching or speaking, Chris enjoys family adventures on the South Coast of NSW and playing very average tennis. He does not enjoy always losing when playing Nintendo with his kids.

Latest Posts

Parent watches from afar holding a clipboard like a control tower manager, while teen eats cereal and texts, oblivious to the oversight

Why Isn’t My Teen Taking Responsibility?

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why isn’t my teen taking responsibility?”—especially while watching them ignore homework, dodge
Mother trying to talk to stern teenage son who is wearing headphones

Why Teens Push Back: and How to Get Them to Listen

Ever tried to get your teenager to do something simple—like unpack the dishwasher, turn down the music, or
Parents of teenager having discussion in bedroom

Good Kids. Weak Moments. Parenting in the Digital World.

Netflix’s Adolescence is a confronting look at teen life in the digital age. This article unpacks what it gets right—and how parents can respond to the risks of social media with clarity, boundaries, and connection. A real-world guide for raising teens in an algorithm-driven world.