Finnish Parents Still Give Alcohol to Minors Despite Expert Warnings

Despite expert warnings, a significant number of Finnish parents continue to provide alcohol to their underage children. A survey by Helsingin Sanomat revealed that some parents offer alcohol at home or purchase it for their children's parties, believing it allows for controlled introduction and prevents more dangerous unsupervised drinking.

One father, who chose to remain anonymous, admitted to buying vodka for his 17-year-old son and his friends. He justified his actions by stating that if his son could obtain alcohol independently, he saw no reason why he shouldn't provide it himself. This allowed him to control the quantity consumed and save his son money. The father also hosted the teenagers at his home when they needed a ride, engaging them in a discussion about alcohol consumption the following morning.

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If he can get alcohol himself, I don't see why I couldn't give it.

However, Kaisa Åberg, head of addiction counseling at Ehyt ry (Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention), strongly advises against this practice. She acknowledges that parents may feel they can better control their children's drinking habits by providing alcohol at home. Yet, she emphasizes that this approach sends a message that underage drinking is acceptable, undermining public health efforts. According to an Ehyt ry survey, about one-third of minors obtain alcohol through siblings or parents, highlighting the prevalence of this issue in Finland.

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You are still communicating to the young person that drinking as a minor is acceptable.