The study by RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explored whether parents purposefully introduce children to alcohol at a young age and, if so, why. It also examined parenting practices that impact children’s opportunity to try alcohol.

“The idea that early exposure to alcohol can discourage a child’s interest in drinking has a strong foothold among some parents of elementary school aged children,” said Christine Jackson, Ph.D., a social ecologist at RTI International and the study''s lead author.