More evidence on parenting and drinking link

It found that bad parenting at 16 made children more than eight times more likely to become binge drinkers at that age and twice as likely to drink excessively when they were 34. Bad parenting at 10 doubled the chances of children bingeing on alcohol in their mid-30s.

This latest research mirrors the conclusions of two earlier studies this year, one from the UK and one from the USA, reported by Peach Report on the link between parenting and problem drinking. See Parents the key factor in under-age drinking

Researchers for Demos analysed data from more than 15,000 children born in Britain over the last 40 years as part of the study. They found the "tough love" style of parenting, which combined warmth and discipline, was the most effective in ensuring against children developing an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Less effective styles were "authoritarian" parents, who set high standards and employ strict discipline, "laissez faire" parents, who are emotionally engaged but do not set rule or boundaries, and those who are "disengaged" with their children.

Demos called on parents and the Government to work together to curb "an entrenched binge drinking culture" among Britain's young people.
It recommended that parents develop a warm and loving relationship in the early years of their children's lives and assert discipline and supervision at the ages of 15 and 16.

It called on the Government to enforce under-age drinking laws and invest in alcohol-related school programmes that involve parents.