[}{arlequin]

if you keep the booze away from them then we can all pull up LOTS of youtube videos of drunken teens b/c once they go away to school IT WILL HAPPEN. you want them to learn/experiment then??

i'd rather have them start w/ wine at dinnertime and let them see for themselves what a buzz feels like. if they like it, then they like it. so what? they're gonna like it later on too. but at least under your supervision they can learn how much is enough for them to get that way.

i'm certain many alcohol poisonings, binges, er visits, and even deaths can be avoided w/ supervised exposure.

it's not like it's crack and there is a good chance they'll never touch it. they WILL drink. how and when they learn what's it all about is up to the parents.

if all you do is avoid it, it's no wonder they behave like a dog that just broke off its leash when they become freshmen...

edit: +1 what s-monkey said about taking away the taboo 'big deal' aspect of it.