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Parenting: A Psychological Analysis

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One of the biggest fears of any parent has to be their child falling into the habit of using and abusing substances. According to the textbook, Parenting: A Dynamic Perspective by George W. Holden, the most problematic substances are cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs (primarily being marijuana). Monitoring the Future, a survey presented by Holden, surveyed 46,500 high school students. This survey revealed that 20% of seniors smoked cigarettes within the last 30 days. In regards to alcohol, 16.6% of students ranging within the ages of 12-16 participated in binge drinking (consuming an average of 4.5 alcoholic beverages in a short period of time) in the last month, while 63.7% college students ages 18-22 reportedly drank alcohol, and 43.6% …show more content…

In Peer Influence on Adolescent Alcohol Use: The Moderating Role of Parental Support and Discipline, Michael Marshal and Laurie Chassin mention that a strong risk factor for adolescents is being surrounded with peers that engage in substance use (2010). Marshal and Chassin state that “parental warmth, support, and acceptance are thought to play a primary role in adolescent socialization processes by enhancing self-esteem, social skills, conventionality and a sense of competence” (2010). With that said, evidence shows that positive parent-adolescent parenting behaviors, and supportive parents help reduce the risk that the teen will fall into peer pressure, while instilling characteristics and values; on the other hand, teens with unsupportive parents are more likely to fall into the peer pressure (Marshal and Chassin, 2010). It is also proven that appropriate methods of discipline are also play an important factor in the socialization process. Studies show that adolescents who receive higher levels of consistent discipline are less likely to engage in behaviors that resemble those of their substance-using peers because they are aware of the consequences (Marshal and Chassin, 2010). Jeffery Epstein offers parenting tips that can help divert an adolescent from using and abusing substances in Nurturing Teenagers to a better Future. Epstein encourages parents to set high academic expectations, be as accessible as possible, send clear messages to avoid alcohol, drugs, and sex, and finally lock up alcohol and get rid of guns (1998). Epstein also mentions that to reduce the risk to use alcohol and drugs as well as other deviant behavior the child should feel loved, protected, and nurtured at home

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