Relationship with Dad

A recent study indicated that a bad relationship with Dad can be more damaging than no relationship at all.

The study, conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), said that a bad father-child relationship, with both living in the same home, puts the child at a 68% greater risk for smoking, drinking or using drugs. In fact, kids who have a poor relationship with their dads in a two parent household are at higher risk for unfavorable behavior than those living in a single parent home.

Thack, a 14 year-old, currently has a good relationship with his father currently, but when he was younger the relationship was strained.

While Thack didn’t turn to drugs or alcohol for answers, he understands the concept. “You’re gonna maybe take it out by doing drugs or another form of something bad,” he said.

Dr. Alexandra Phipps, psychologist, advised taking notice early of a potentially bad relationship

“Not to wait till it’s really bad, not to wait till there’s so much trauma between them or so much tension that the child isn’t going to respond,” she advised parents.

What Parents Should Know

Kids want their mommies! On issue after issue kids rated relationships with their Moms as stronger than their relationships with Dads, according to a study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).

Fifty-seven percent of teens said that they felt more comfortable talking to Mom about drugs than with Dad, reported CASA. Only four percent of surveyed teens have spoken with Dad, alone, regarding drug use, but 15% have had a one-on-one conversation with Mom on the issue. Forty-five percent of the kids interviewed have spoken with both parents simultaneously.

How do these relationships affect our kid’s future? Kids feeling equally close to both parents are more likely to make the drug-free decision. “Parent power,” as described by CASA, is the most pertinent factor in a child’s welfare. While a favorable parent-child relationship can be a savior, a negative relationship can be detrimental.

Even while one parent travels a great deal or is often absent from the home, keeping the communication lines open are essential.

“You’re gonna maybe take it out by doing drugs or another form of something bad.”

--Thack, age 14

A Positive Glimpse
of the Future

Teens reported that drugs are the leading problem facing them today, but the numbers are improving.

Twenty-three percent cited drugs as the biggest problem facing kids. In a recent CASA survey, the numbers were down from 29% in 1998 and 35% in 1997. Sixty-percent in the recent survey said that they didn’t plan to use drugs in the future, compared to 55% in 1998. While teens know that the drug war isn‘t over, more of them seem to be changing sides.

Unlucky Thirteen

Turning 13 means more than paying full price for a movie. CASA studies illustrated that there is a sizable increase in exposure to drugs during a child’s inaugural teenage year.

Of the surveyed 13 year-olds, 22% said that they knew a drug dealer, compared to 8% of the 12 year-olds. Fourteen percent of the 12 year-olds said they could buy marijuana if they wanted, while 50% of the 13 year-olds said they could. Also, the older group was 33% less likely to report someone for drug use.

Parental influence takes a dive also. While 58% of the 12 year-olds said that parental opinions were a great influence, only 42% of the 13% year-olds relied on Mom and Dad’s ideals.

Resources
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University - www.casacolumbia.org/index.htm	For more information on parenting issues contact us: Connecting with Kids