The research is very clear – teens benefit from waiting as long as possible before they start drinking.  We also know that teens are less likely to drink when their parents/guardians regularly share their expectations that drinking is not allowed. A review of more than 20 studies found that when parents gave their teens permission to drink, they drank more frequently and in higher quantities when they weren’t at home (6).  In fact, the teens who were least likely to participate in heavy drinking had parents who had a combination of a warm parenting style and high non-use expectations (7).

(Numbered citations can be found in the Resources section)