How Can Parents Prevent Underage Drinking?

Last week, underage parties were at the forefront of both local and statewide news.

Last Wednesday, 18 year-old Caleb Chafee, the son of Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, w after he held a graduation party in Exeter on May 28.   with Middletown’s social host ordinance after police broke-up a party that involved underage drinking.  

A common reaction to both stories, both locally and statewide, was that parents should be held accountable for their children's behavior.

“I hate to point the finger but teaching these kids respect falls in the parents lap,” said a Patch reader with the alias of

Another Patch reader by the alias of agreed, “Most kids of today are unaware of how to act, what is right and wrong due to the parents not being able to teach.”

Eighteen can can be a confusing age in our country.  For many, it is a transition period into adulthood. An 18 year-old is old enough to vote, enlist in the military, go off to college or enter the workforce full time, but not drink.   

In this period where teenagers turn into adults, parenting can be a challenge. What advice can you give parents who find their underage child drinking?  What did your parents do?