A series of qualitative focus group interviews was conducted with parents of teenagers in a local high school. The purpose was to explore their in-depth perceptions of the alcohol consumption patterns of their children, as well as the influences on their consumption and appropriate interventions. The results indicated: (a) low levels of parental awareness about the true extent of teen drinking, especially among their own children, (b) low levels of parental control or empowerment over teen drinking, (c) feelings of detachment or isolation from other parents who may share similar concerns, (d) considerable receptivity to receiving skill training in the area of DWI and other substance abuse prevention issues, and (e) feelings of resistance to such programs that may require substantial time commitments of them, but more favourable disposition toward mass mediated (e.g., cable TV) delivery systems of this material. (Secondary source)
Abstract