| As parents we want the best for our children, we try | | | | and Confidence. When young people are confident |
| to be there for them and support them with their | | | | and have a positive sense of self, they are much less |
| interests and their friendships, but we have to | | | | likely to succumb to peer Pressure and much more |
| understand that their social groups are very powerful | | | | likely to make the right life choices. Talk to your |
| and that they can be swayed by their peers. You may | | | | Daughter about the dangers associated with drinking in |
| think that girls are less likely to experiment with alcohol, | | | | excess, have a calm and relaxed discussion about the |
| but as this latest report demonstrates, that could not | | | | associated risks involved with alcohol use, things like, |
| be farther from the truth. | | | | the loss of coordination, poor decision making and |
| The fact is that more and more young women are | | | | judgments. |
| getting into difficulties with Alcohol, and one of the main | | | | If you are worried that you may not get through to |
| reasons is their friendship groups. Peer Pressure is the | | | | your Daughter, try demonstrating the difference a |
| most popular reason given by young women who | | | | couple of glasses of wine can make to an adult, try a |
| have needed hospital or emergency room treatment | | | | coordination task, or a logic test, these examples will |
| for alcohol poisoning. Peer Pressure is nothing new, no | | | | clearly show your Daughter how decision making and |
| doubt it was a factor when you were a youngster too, | | | | fine motor skills are affected by alcohol. Seeing the |
| however, one of the main differences now is how | | | | affects for herself will be much more powerful than |
| easily accessible alcohol is, and how sophisticated | | | | any words can ever be. |
| today's generation of young women are in their | | | | The most important thing to remember about this issue |
| appearance. | | | | and any other really, is to keep open communication |
| So how do you help your Daughter to say no to | | | | going and always try to understand the pressures that |
| alcoholic drinks when her friends are saying yes, yes, | | | | "Friends" can put on young developing minds. |
| yes. The short answer is increase her Self Esteem | | | | |