babble » blogs » Strollerderby
Strollerderby
Wisconsin May End Tots Drinking in Bars
I confess ignorance on this vital piece of info for boozing parents: Wisconsin is one of the few states left where little kids can drink in bars as long as their parents are present.
But that may be about to end. The state’s Senate is mulling a bill that would require kids be at least eighteen to drink in a bar or tavern with their parents. The standard drinking age of twenty-one applies when no parent is about.
Although raised by parents who occasionally allowed us a sip of beer or just enough wine to cover the bottom of the glass, my brother and I were on strict instructions never to even attempt it in a restaurant – lest we put the restaurateur’s liquor license in jeopardy. Of course, we grew up in the conservative (snort) state of New York.
Who knew the land of cheese was the place to go?
I jest, but the idea of letting kids drink in plain view of their parents rather than encouraging them to secret themselves away is much vaunted in Europe. Many countries have legal drinking limits set for teens (younger than the standard twenty-one for Americans) who are alone, but when a parent is on hand, they cede discretion to said parent.
So why is this such a problem? In a country where much of the concern over teenage drinking focuses on the dangers of binge drinking and fake IDs, the idea that kids can test the ropes first under the watchful eyes of their parents seems solid.
It’s an argument that’s been laid out in many places, including a Babble essay last spring. Interestingly, the lawmakers who are looking to excise the law cite a high teenage drinking problem in Wisconsin, and yet what comes to light in this Journal Sentinel article: few taverns actually ALLOW kids to drink with their parents.
Despite the law’s current permissive nature, the discretion currently lies with the bartenders – and it seems the overwhelming majority follows the overwhelmingly American concept that alcohol and kids shouldn’t mix.
It begs the question: if the kids aren’t drinking in the bars under their parents’ eyes, then what’s causing the teenage drinking problems in Wisconsin? Could it be the fact that the kids AREN’T getting good guidance from their parents?
Go Back To Strollerderby
0 Comments
Jazz commented on Aug 22 10 at 6:41 pmI live in Wisconsin. I am 27 now but when I was 19 I went to a bar with my mom (had about 2 beers) and she dropped me off at home afterwords. (I was also married at the time too) I ended up eating some food that I had allergic reaction to(some fast-food my hubby brought home) and ended up having to go to the emergency room. At the emergency room a doctor noticed that my breath smelled like beer and new I was not old enough to drink next thing I know a police officer shows up and breathalizes me(and my hubby, who was not drinking at all). I told him what happened and he said ok but he still had to give me a ticket bc my mom legally has to stay with me 24hrs after i consume my last drink. so yah that sucked
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Joslyn Gray 
Amber Doty 
Julianna Miner 
Monica Bielanko 
Sierra Black 
Meredith Carroll 
Carolyn Castiglia 
Sunny Chanel 
Madeline Holler 
Wendy Michaels 
Rebecca Odes 
Danielle Smith 
Danielle Sullivan 
Katherine Stone 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
0