Drinking in middle school

[Anonymous]

My kid is in seventh grade and neither he nor his friends drink (as far as I am aware of). He has had a sip or two of wine or champagne at home with us but that is it.

[Anonymous]

Not uncommon in rural areas at all. One of the reasons my DH say he would never live in really small town or rural areas and raise kids- there just is less to do and all the "good" kids and the "bad" kids hang out together because there are only so many 14 year olds in the town. You are basically stuck seeing everyone all the time, whether you are really friends with them or not.

I'd hope that in the DMV (yes I know people here HATE the burbs but as far as population and what not, all of the burbs are still pretty "urban" regarding numbers of options for things to do, pre-covid of course) that MS drinking would be a smaller minority because kids here are kept really busy with extra curriculars and have more options than sitting in a field getting wasted.

[Anonymous]

I didn't grow up rural, but I guess I just don't understand the bored kid excuse. I mean, all kids get bored, but bored enough to drink, do drugs etc? That's where the disconnect comes for me.

[Anonymous]

Not super surprised although it’s out of the question for my 13 yo and her crew. There are def kids in her grade vaping and who were smoking weed which seems scandalous to me. I think that school being closed has led some kids down a dark path with a lot of time on their hands and no healthy outlets.

My husband was drinking smoking and having sex at 13. So it’s not new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't grow up rural, but I guess I just don't understand the bored kid excuse. I mean, all kids get bored, but bored enough to drink, do drugs etc? That's where the disconnect comes for me.

It’s a part of growing up to want to push boundaries and explore. And when your world is really limited like in rural areas or with distance learning, it doesn’t leave much left to explore or push but substances.

My husband growing up in a rural area had a very different high school experience than myself in a city.

[Anonymous]

Where are they doing it during the pandemic???

[Anonymous]

It was very common in the late 80s with my friends. We were good kids and would do it while hanging out at houses or at sleepovers. It was wine coolers or drinking parents vodka and replacing with water at that age. I was from a city that’s not local. I sometimes discuss with friends here and there seems to be a wide mix of how the middle school years were spent. Some are appalled and didn’t try alcohol until college. DH had a similar experience in a different state during middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are they doing it during the pandemic???

That does make a bit more sense. I guess I just wasn't a boundary pushing kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow this is crazy of its happening in middle school. These are just kids we're talking about.

Well, in 1991, when I was in MS, it wasn't uncommon.

In fact, I've been under the impression that underage drinking (and teenage sex) have declined compared to 30 years ago...

They have. Middle school & high school kids are angels compared to how we were. Alcohol, drugs, smoke and sex are all down by significant amounts. The only thing that may be up is marijuana use, which is being legalized across the country and is easily accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In no way do I consider this acceptable but as I hear rumblings of it happening I’m wondering how common is it?

Very common. We just left MS ( A W MS) and my DC would tell me stories involving alcohol and drugs being used weekly. Vaping was occurring in the school bathrooms. Kids all know each there in MOCO and word gets around. Have drinking by MS's in Bethesda esp. this past Fall. Westland, Pyle, Tilden, North Bethesda, Silver Creek, Cabin John all have MS kids ding these things. It's very, very common.

My child attends one of these schools and is friends with some kids who people might guess would be the ones drinking but they aren't as far as I know. What do you mean by very very common and where are they drinking?

[Anonymous]

I didnt drink until 8th grade and it was probably three different times (after school, friends parents still at work, getting into liquor cabinet).

High school was a different story entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow this is crazy of its happening in middle school. These are just kids we're talking about.

This was common in the 80s... I was in private school in CT. Kids were getting drunk at parties. Not everyone but the popular kids and those who wanted to push the envelope. I started early and it spiraled out of control. Talk to your kids and don’t be in denial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In no way do I consider this acceptable but as I hear rumblings of it happening I’m wondering how common is it?

My first time getting drunk was a friends house for a sleepover in 6th grade. Parents bought us malt beer and liquor..
Plus a pack of Newport cigs. Needless to say i enjoyed my sleepover...and went back many more times for the same treatment. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow this is crazy of its happening in middle school. These are just kids we're talking about.

This was common in the 80s... I was in private school in CT. Kids were getting drunk at parties. Not everyone buIt the popular kids and those who wanted to push the envelope. I started early and it spiraled out of control. Talk to your kids and don’t be in denial.

I was in CT in the 80s too. "Popular" kids also having sex at parties and using drinking as an excuse to do it.

[Anonymous]

If they’re having sex in middle school, they’re definitely drinking.

‘They’ may be a small percentage, but it happens.

DD was in college with a teen mom from middle school, I say was because she graduated in 3 ys, DD is going into her 4th year.