Mums most likely to talk to children about alcohol

Almost two thirds of mums (59%) polled said they had initiated a conversation with their child compared to fewer than half of dads (47%).

The poll -  of 1,000 UK parents with children aged 8-18 between the 23 August and 27 August 2013 - also found that one in five (18%) dads found talking about alcohol with their children difficult or very difficult, compared to just 9% of mums.

The research also found that children are more likely to approach their dads (21%) to talk about alcohol than their mums (19%).

This third annual survey of parents marks the start of a new partnership between Family Talk UK – AB InBev’s online platform developed with the Mumsnet community and the Alcohol Education Trust (AET).

AB InBev UK President, Inge Plochaet, said: “Our own research and other independent expert studies have shown time and again that parents are the ones who have most influence on the behaviour of their children.

"This is why it is so important that they talk to their children about responsible drinking.  But that doesn’t mean these conversations are easy. As a mum, I know myself how difficult talking about alcohol with my children can be. That’s why I’m delighted that through our Family Talk UK programme we are able to partner with the Alcohol Education Trust to help more parents talk to their children about alcohol. ”

Helena Conibear, founder and director of the Alcohol Education Trust, said: “It’s encouraging that nearly two thirds of mums are proactively talking to their children about alcohol, especially as research tells us just how important mums are as role models.

"But the research shows that there is still more work to do to reach those parents who haven’t spoken with their children about responsible drinking and to ensure all parents have the right information and facts at their fingertips. It’s crucial that both mums and dads feel comfortable and knowledgeable having these conversations."

Key findings:
•    The average age at which parents talked to their child about alcohol was just after their tenth birthday.
•    While mums lead the way, of those polled one in five mums (22%) and one in three dads (32%) hadn’t spoken with their children about alcohol.
•    Mums in the East Midlands were the most proactive, with 73% saying they had tackled the subject head on and initiated conversations about alcohol with their child.
•    Of all the parents surveyed, mums in the South West (88%) and South East (86%) were most likely to have talked with their child about alcohol, irrespective of who raised it. Among dads, East Anglia led the way with 81%.
•    Mums in the South West and dads in the East Midlands were the most approachable, with 28% and 27% respectively saying their child had approached them to talk about alcohol.
•    Parents in the North East and North West are among the least likely to have spoken with their child about alcohol.