Too Smart To Start

An underage alcohol use prevention initiative

for parents, caregivers, and their 9- to 13-year-old

children

Demorest Elementary SchoolAlaina Conner, MS, NCCSchool Counselor

9- to 13-year-olds (lifelong health behaviors are established)

9- to 13-year-olds (lifelong health behaviors are established)

Parents (underestimate their child’s vulnerability to alcohol and their own ability to affect their child’s decisions to use alcohol)

Parents (underestimate their child’s vulnerability to alcohol and their own ability to affect their child’s decisions to use alcohol)

Partners in PreventionPartners in Prevention

**Family is a major influence on children’s alcohol use…

Who Are 9- to 13-Year-Olds?Who Are 9- to 13-Year-Olds?

21 million in the U.S. (7% of U.S. pop.)

Positive and optimistic about their futures

Influenced by TV, music, the Internet

55% are being raised in households with annual incomes of at least $40,000

21 million in the U.S. (7% of U.S. pop.)

Positive and optimistic about their futures

Influenced by TV, music, the Internet

55% are being raised in households with annual incomes of at least $40,000

Ferret, 2002; Nickelodeon/Yankelovich, 2001; Rideout et al, 1999

DiverseDiverse

More Racial and Ethnic Diversity Than Their Parents

More Racial and Ethnic Diversity Than Their Parents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

The 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are In TransitionThe 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are In Transition

Their bodies are changing

Their bodies are changing

They become independent thinkers

They become independent thinkers

They develop a sense of self and independence

They develop a sense of self and independence

Pan American Health Organization, 2001; American Psychological Association, 2002; E.W. Austin, 1995

MindsMinds

Begin to understand that actions have consequences

Problem-solving skills are evolving

Begin to understand logical and causal relationships

Start to take risks

Begin to understand that actions have consequences

Problem-solving skills are evolving

Begin to understand logical and causal relationships

Start to take risksPan American Health Organization, 2001; American Psychological Association, 2002; E.W. Austin, 1995

New Sense of SelfNew Sense of Self

Friends are extremely important

Nine- to thirteen-year-olds begin questioning adult values and rules

They begin to establish identity and independence

Friends are extremely important

Nine- to thirteen-year-olds begin questioning adult values and rules

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 TransitionThe 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are In Transition

“I really want to change

my appearance.”

“I really want to change

my appearance.”

9- to 11-year-old respondents to the 2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth MONITOR Survey

9- to 11-year-old respondents to the 2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth MONITOR Survey

Agree a lot20%

Agree a little38%

Disagree42%

Agree a lot20%

Agree a little38%

Disagree42%

The 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are VulnerableThe 9- to 13-Year-Olds Are Vulnerable

Vulnerability to alcohol initiation is heightened during periods of change

Around age 10 or 11 children begin to approve of underage alcohol use

More than 40% of children who use alcohol before age 15 abuse alcohol or become dependent later in life

Vulnerability to alcohol initiation is heightened during periods of change

Around age 10 or 11 children begin to approve of underage alcohol use

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-oldsUse and Access to Alcohol by 9- to 13-year-olds

Most 9- to 13-year-olds do not use alcohol

Past year alcohol use varies by grade and type of alcohol:

Most 9- to 13-year-olds do not use alcohol

Past year alcohol use varies by grade and type of alcohol:

Consumption of wine coolers ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 36% of eighth graders

Consumption of beer ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 34% of eighth graders

Consumption of liquor ranged from 2% of fourth graders to 27% of eighth graders

Consumption of wine coolers ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 36% of eighth graders

Consumption of beer ranged from 6% of fourth graders to 34% of eighth graders

Consumption of liquor ranged from 2% of fourth graders to 27% of eighth graders

PRIDE 2000; PRIDE 2001-2002

Use and Access to Alcohol by 9- to 13-year-olds (continued)Use and Access to Alcohol by 9- to 13-year-olds (continued)

Youths’ expectations that they will use alcohol turn from negative to positive at age 10 or 11

The average age of first alcohol use is 13

Youths’ expectations that they will use alcohol turn from negative to positive at age 10 or 11

The average age of first alcohol use is 13

PRIDE 2000

Boys vs. GirlsBoys vs. Girls

Boys try alcohol as early as 11 and experience more alcohol-related problems than girls

Girls try alcohol as early as 13

Boys try alcohol as early as 11 and experience more alcohol-related problems than girls

Girls try alcohol as early as 13

Youth per Type of HouseholdYouth per Type of Household

Percent of Children 9 to 11 by

Type of Household2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth

MONITOR

Percent of Children 9 to 11 by

Type of Household2000/2001 Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth

MONITOR

74

2419

51

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Both Parents One Parent Mother Father Grandparent*

* May or may not be biological parents

Parents: Key to PreventionParents: Key to Prevention

Mothers and fathers of 9- to 13-year-olds are especially influential

Waiting to talk to children until they are older allows peers to have more influence

Mothers and fathers of 9- to 13-year-olds are especially influential

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 ItParents Are Influential But Might Not Know It

Major influence on youth alcohol use and related behaviors

Parents underestimate their children’s vulnerability to alcohol use

Major influence on youth alcohol use and related behaviors

Parents underestimate their children’s vulnerability to alcohol use

MADD, 2001; SAMHSA/CSAP Too Smart To Start, 2002; ONDCP, 2001

What Are Parents Thinking?What Are Parents Thinking?

Many parents lack accurate perception about the harms of underage alcohol use

Parents see underage alcohol use as “more acceptable” than using illegal drugs

Many parents lack accurate perception about the harms of underage alcohol use

Parents see underage alcohol use as “more acceptable” than using illegal drugs

MADD, 2001; SAMHSA/CSAP Too Smart To Start, 2002

Parents Need EncouragementParents Need Encouragement

Believe they lack the skills to communicate with their children

Perceive themselves as having little influence over their children

Have, and desire, a high level of involvement with their children

Believe they lack the skills to communicate with their children

Perceive themselves as having little influence over their children

Have, and desire, a high level of involvement with their children

They:They:

CASA, 1999; Nickelodeon National Survey of Parents and Kids, 2001; Mitchell, 2000

When Parents Get Involved...When Parents Get Involved...

Become more responsible

Feel more appreciated

Readily follow parents’ guidance

Respond more positively to expectations

Become more responsible

Feel more appreciated

Readily follow parents’ guidance

Respond more positively to expectations

Children:Children:

…children respond…children respond SAMHSA/CSAP Parenting and Family Strengthening Program, 1999

Barriers to SuccessBarriers to Success

Family: Parents are more concerned with drug use than with alcohol use

Social: Some parents are comfortable with alcohol use as a “rite of passage”

Peer: Perception that their peers have experimented with alcohol

Community: Alcohol is socially acceptable

National: Lack of funding

Family: Parents are more concerned with drug use than with alcohol use

Social: Some parents are comfortable with alcohol use as a “rite of passage”

Peer: Perception that their peers have experimented with alcohol

Community: Alcohol is socially acceptable

National: Lack of funding

MADD, 2001; CASA, 1999; PRIDE, 2002; SAMHSA/CSAP, 2001

Together Everything FitsTogether Everything Fits

9- to 13-year-olds 9- to 13-year-olds

Parents/ caregivers

Parents/ caregivers

The Keys to SuccessThe Keys to Success

Positive attitude — reinforces positive behaviors

Respect 9- to 13-year-olds — empowers them to make the right decisions

Dialogue — keeps the doors open and encourages mutual respect

Establish and maintain good communication with 9- to 13-year-olds

Positive attitude — reinforces positive behaviors

Respect 9- to 13-year-olds — empowers them to make the right decisions

Dialogue — keeps the doors open and encourages mutual respect

Establish and maintain good communication with 9- to 13-year-olds

The Keys to Success (continued)The Keys to Success (continued)

Get involved in 9- to 13-year-olds’ lives

Make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences

Be a positive role model

Help 9- to 13-year-olds with the need for peer acceptance

Monitor 9- to 13-year-olds’ activities

Get involved in 9- to 13-year-olds’ lives

Make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences

Be a positive role model

Help 9- to 13-year-olds with the need for peer acceptance

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