Prof. Dra. Petra Mª Pérez

Catedrática de Teoría de la Educación

Directora del Instituto de Creatividad e Innovaciones Educativas Universidad de Valencia

Valencia, 17th September 2008

Parents’ right to speak

Guide for taking responsible decisions towards alcohol consumption

(parents of 6-13 years old children)

3rd AER Alcohol Peer Review

Preventing alcohol-related harm among young people & children

Some figures from Spain 01

02

Alcohol consumption among Spaniards Moderate alcohol consumption is part of Spanish culture and diet

Fermented drinks specially: beer, wine, cider Linked with food and social meetings (most of drinks are consumed in

on-trade channel: bars, restaurants…) This consumption is considered correct provided that it occurred

among adult population and in a moderate way

Alcohol consumption regulation No alcohol consumption allowed under age of 18

Specific regulation in regions: consumption is still allowed above 16

+18

Some figures from Spain 01

03

Alcohol consumption among minors1

The average age for first alcohol consumption in Spain is 13,8 years old 58% of students (14-18 years old) have drunk alcohol during the last

month Weekends / mixed spirits Increase of abuse and cases of drunkenness / binge drinking Recent tendency: decrease of alcohol consumption

Recent phenomenon in Spain known as “botellón” Teens meet in parks, streets and other open spaces to enjoy, talk… and

DRINK

Parents facing up the issue2

Alcohol consumption among minors is considered as the second most important health problem by Spanish parents

Only the 52,6% speak with their children about this matter Parents don’t feel responsible for avoiding situations such as “botellón” Too authoritarian or too permissive parents generally have children that

abuse alcohol more than the rest1Observatorio Español sobre Drogas. PND, 2004

2Los padres ante las nuevas formas de consumo de alcohol de sus hijos. Cortés, MT

What can we do? 02

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Prevent, inform, educate Prevention must start from the first years at school, before

young people face start alcohol consumption and “botellón” time

Teenagers are a bad time for banning Informing about the facts and consequences of alcohol

consumption by minors and the consumption of alcohol misuse by adults

Minors can see how their parents consume wine or beer in a responsible way, but they can’t do it because they are too young

Educating minors in how to take responsible decisions towards alcohol consumption

Involving the hole society: family environment is essential

Being aware of the social context in Spain: Responsible vs. inappropriate consumption

04

Personal belief Attitudes Actions

How? 03

05

“Parents’ right to speak” campaign Educational program to help parents educate their children

towards taking responsible decisions about alcohol consumption

It also helps them to tackle difficult situations such as excessive consumption

Informative guide Tool for parents It helps them to reinforce skills in this difficult duty and

provides useful information and guidelines More than 10.000 guides distributed

Long term campaign Held during the last four years Current project

How? 03

06

“Parents’ right to speak” campaign How to get in touch with parents? In collaboration with the two most relevant parents

organizations in Spain:

Giving talks to parents Release of key messages through the media

Press conferences Broadcast of interviews

With the support of The Brewers of Spain And the backing of the Ministry of Food Specific agreements with Regional Governments

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Free guide available Collaborating associations

CONCAPA y CEAPA

Internet: www.cerveceros.org Requests: prensa.cerveza@bm.com / 34 91 384 67 53