YATA Parent Survey Executive Summary
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Parent Survey Executive Summary
A survey of over 620 parents of teenagers aged 12 to 18 years in the Nelson region was undertaken to ascertain their views on alcohol consumption of youth.
Questions were asked relating to provision of alcohol, appropriate drinking age, discussion with teens and parental views of alcohol supply.
The majority of respondants were female parents or caregivers. The average age of parents was 45. Most (87%) were NZ European, the remainder were Maori (2%), Pasifika (1%) and Other (10%).
A quarter of responses were from parents of 16 year olds, followed by parents of 15 year olds (23%), 17 year olds (21%) and 14 year olds (19%).
The main survey findings are as follows:
- The majority of parents felt that 16 was an appropriate age to begin to drink alcohol when a parent was present. Many parents added that the maturity of the teen was a more important factor than age.
- When another parent was present or when the teen was unsupervised, 18 years of age was given as an appropriate age.
- Nearly 60% of parents had provided their teen with alcohol at one time. A higher proportion of older than younger parents and more male parents than female parents had provided their teen with alcohol. Also, more parents of boys than of girls had provided their teen with alcohol.
- The majority (55%) of parents had not supplied alcohol within the last month, and a further 23% had supplied alcohol once when they were present.
- The proportion rises from 55% to 78% not supplying alcohol when another adult was present and 85% when there was no supervision. Only 10% of parents provided alcohol once when another adult was present.
- While 57% had provided alcohol to their own teens, 20% had supplied alcohol to others teens.
- The majority of parents had not given alcohol to other teens when they were present, when another adult was present or when the teen was unsupervised. Only 10% had given alcohol once to other teens while they (the parent) were present.
- Around 11% of parents responded they were aware of their teen having drunk five or more drinks when they (the parent) were present and 15% when unsupervised.
- Within the last six months, 70% of parents had discussions with their teen about the supply of alcohol and half responded that discussions had become more frequent.
- Most parents agreed that it is better for a parent /caregiver to give their teen alcohol than for the teen to obtain it illegally.
- The two areas where parents wanted more information were talking to their teen about alcohol and the law and responsibilities as a parent.
- The most preferred method of information delivery was in leaflet form, followed by a one off talk with an expert in the field.
- 44% of parents would like to receive information about this survey at their school.