A survey finds that mothers tend to underestimate how much their teenage daughters drink.
The Century Council, a non-profit group funded by distillers, commissioned by poll by Teenage Research Unlimited.
The survey found that 16 percent of 13- to 15-year-olds drink outside the home, while only 5 percent of their mothers know about it. Among 16- to 18-year-olds, 30 percent are drinkers while only 9 percent of their mothers realize it. In the oldest group, those 19 to 21, 51 percent drink and 32 percent of mothers know.
The poll also found that many moms condone underage drinking, with 49 percent saying they believe it is acceptable, 38 percent saying drinking is all right on special occasions, 21 percent saying it is all right at home and 20 percent calling drinking a natural part of growing up.
The council has introduced a program, "Girl Talk: Choices and Consequences of Underage Drinking," that aims to encourage conversations between teenagers and their mothers on the subject.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
