Poll: Should parents give their children alcohol at home?
Parents are being urged not to give their children alcohol as a reward for finishing their exams after it emerged more than 15,000 intoxicated youngsters were admitted to hospital in just three years.
The charity Drinkaware says around one in four parents will give their children alcohol this summer to help celebrate the end of the school term.
Its report found that on average, children aged 14 to 17 will be given nine units of alcohol - the equivalent of four cans of beer, a bottle of wine or a third of a bottle of vodka at post-exam parties, holidays or festivals.
The study also found that more than half (54%) of parents had given their child a drink outside of the exam celebration period, with 86% admitting they had done so because their child asked for it.
Drinkaware said that 15,000 children were taken to hospital between 2010 and 2013 because of excessive alcohol, yet 20% of parents have no understanding of any medical guidance surrounding children consuming alcohol.
What do you think? Should parents give their children alcohol at home? Vote now in our poll and leave your thoughts below:
