Parents have great influence on a student’s decision to drink.

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Parental socialization factors (e.g. imitation and social reinforcement) are shown to repeatedly influence their child’s drinking behavior. Imitation is when young people model their own behaviors after those of significant others. (i.e. adolescents are more likely to drink if parents drink). Social reinforcement is where adolescents internalize definitions and exhibit behaviors and values approved by significant others.

 

According to studies by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers observed that students whose parents allowed them to drink at home and/or provided them with alcohol were more likely to participate in using alcohol. These studies also found that permissive attitudes toward adolescent drinking, particularly when combined with poor communication and unhealthy modeling, can lead teens into unhealthy relationships with alcohol.

 

According to Mrs. Dana Henn, counselor and advisor to the extracurricular group SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) at Waconia High School, if parents do not care about underage drinking, it will be extremely difficult to address the problem among students. Additionally, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Waconia HERO Coalition Coordinator, states that “kids make better choices for themselves when they have good adult figures [with responsible attitudes towards alcohol].”

Peer groups have influence on a student’s decision to drink or not to drink.

 

Peer socialization factors are also an influence is an underage student’s alcohol use. Peer socialization is when adolescents are likely to withdraw from the family and rely more heavily on the influence of peer subcultures.

 

Studies focussed on peer socialization factors have shown that adolescents who value peer opinions as opposed to these of their parents, for important life decisions and values are at a high risk for alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, and other problem behaviors.

Underage drinking has become more socially acceptable in the Waconia community.

 

According to Mrs. Dana Henn, a counselor and the advisor to the extracurricular group SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) at Waconia High School, underage drinking has become more and more socially acceptable in recent years, which leads to difficulties in addressing the problem among Waconia High School student. Furthermore, according to Ms. Maureen Farrell, Waconia HERO Coalition Coordinator, most of the community of Waconia does not view underage drinking as a “big deal” and collectively do not see harm around alcohol use in teens.