Underage drinking is illegal but also incredibly common. For instance, one study found that one out of every three high school students admitted to drinking alcohol. Many people have their first drink before they turn 21, and some of them drink on a consistent basis.
If your teenager gets arrested for underage drinking, you may wonder why it happened. As a parent, you understand the long-term ramifications and wish your child had avoided this behavior. Below are three potential reasons why they may have done it anyway.
1. Seeing it in the media
For one thing, teenagers are sometimes influenced by what they see in the media, such as depictions of people drinking in TV shows and movies. Many teen movies show high school students drinking underage, so teens may think that this is natural or even expected behavior.
2. Dealing with stress
Some teens admit to drinking to help them deal with stress, especially during transitional periods. For instance, maybe they just switched schools, broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend or watched their parents get divorced. The teenage years can certainly be a stressful time for many, and they may turn to alcohol for relief.
3. Social pressure
Finally, many teenagers face peer pressure. Maybe your teen had never drunk before, but they went to a party with other members of their sports team where most people were drinking. They decided to have a beer to fit in, the party got busted and they got arrested. It never would’ve happened without that peer pressure.
These are just three potential reasons to keep in mind. If your teen is facing criminal charges, make sure you know what defense options they have.
