Major says parents give alcohol because they believe they can somehow make their child a more responsible drinker. Alcohol kills 134 French people every day, and one in four deaths among young men (15-34) in France is due to alcohol. As well as wanting to teach their children about sensible alcohol use, psychologist, neuroscientist and author Dr Sabina Brennan says parents give the Christmas drink at home to avoid alcohol becoming a tempting “forbidden fruit”, and they also feel they’re being inclusive. “Giving alcohol at home doesn’t teach moderation — it teaches familiarity.”The Planet Youth survey bears this out. Saying no to alcohol at Christmas isn’t being strict — it’s being protective of a vulnerable, developing brain.

Source: Irish Examiner December 23, 2025 03:30 UTC