Many parents believe that their teens do not drink alcohol. If you ask them about it, they’ll tell you how their child would never do that. They may even say that they’ve talked to them about it and that the child has assured them that they never drink with their friends.
Parents often feel good about this, knowing that underage drinking is illegal and feeling like their child is on the right path. But is what that child is telling them actually the truth?
The link between alcohol and lies
The truth, of course, is that many teens just tell their parents what they want to hear. They may never admit to drinking, even though they certainly do it with their friends when they’re not at home. Parents may not believe what’s going on or may not realize it, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not happening. This means that underage drinking is likely far more common than most people realize.
There’s also an interesting link between lying and alcohol use when looked at from the opposite perspective. Studies have found that teens who are commonly found to be lying about other issues are also more likely to drink while underage. That could help explain why those who do drink then feel so comfortable lying about it.
What if your child is facing charges for underage drinking?
You might not find out that your teen has been lying until they’ve been arrested for underage drinking and are facing serious charges. At a time like that, it’s important to know what options you have.