Are You an Everyday Hero?

1. Which is a greater influence on a young person's decision to use, or not use, alcohol and other drugs:

• Parents' behavior That's right! You may be surprised to learn that parental behavior is more important. Studies show that many factors influence young people's drug use decisions, but parental attitudes and actions can influence them most. It's important to remember that parents' examples can be positive as well as negative.

  Parents who are heavy users of alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs, including prescription medicine, set an example their children are likely to follow.

• Peer pressure Nope. I'm sure you're surprised to learn that parental behavior is more important. Studies show that many factors influence young people's drug use decisions, but parental attitudes and actions can influence them most. It's important to remember that parents' examples can be positive as well as negative.

  Parents who are heavy users of alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs, including prescription medicine, set an example their children are likely to follow.

2. It's easy for children to find positive role models these days.

• True

  Sadly, this is not true. Today, when fourth- and fifth-graders are asked to name a role model, most find it impossible to come up with a name. One reason may be that many prominent figures in Hollywood, sports, business, and government make headlines for problem behavior, rather than for positive action. You can help counteract these headlines by being a good role model for your children.

  Even high school students have a difficult time naming a role model. In a recent study, 21 percent of the students polled couldn't name a role model; 16 percent named their parents; and the rest named sports figures, political figures, and actors (less than 10 percent each). Help your children identify and learn more about men and women who stand for values you and your family believe in.

• False Correct. Today, when fourth- and fifth-graders are asked to name a role model, most find it impossible to come up with a name. One reason may be that many prominent figures in Hollywood, sports, business, and government make headlines for problem behavior, rather than for positive action. You can help counteract these headlines by being a good role model for your children.

  Even high school students have a difficult time naming a role model. In a recent study, 21 percent of the students polled couldn't name a role model; 16 percent named their parents; and the rest named sports figures, political figures, and actors (less than 10 percent each). Help your children identify and learn more about men and women who stand for values you and your family believe in.

3. It's a good idea not to drink in front of your children.

• True. Drinking responsibly in front of children has not been shown to be harmful, but your children will notice how much you drink, when you drink, and why. Avoid using excuses like, "I had a rough day" for having a drink.

  Your drinking behavior tends to become the drinking habit your children will adopt when they grow up.

• False. Drinking responsibly in front of children has not been shown to be harmful, but your children will notice how much you drink, when you drink, and why. Avoid using excuses like, "I had a rough day" for having a drink.

  Your drinking behavior tends to become the drinking habit your children will adopt when they grow up.

4. When a phone call interrupts dinner, it's okay for a parent to say "Tell them I'm not home yet" when a child answers the phone.

• True. Messages like this tell your children that it's OK to be dishonest for your own convenience. Try to set a good and consistent example through your words and actions.

  Your example can teach your children a lot and even show them that unwanted peer pressure can be rejected. Demonstrate how you value your freedom to think and act independently; prove that you don't do something because "everyone is doing it." (For example, you may be asked to sign a petition to deny a zoning change that would allow a group home for physically challenged adults in your neighborhood. Because you believe that these individuals will benefit from a family atmosphere in a safe neighborhood, you refuse to sign this petition that everyone else in your neighborhood supports. Your children will learn from your example that it's important to do what you think is right, not just what is popular.)

• False. Messages like this tell your children that it's OK to be dishonest for your own convenience. Try to set a good and consistent example through your words and actions.

  Your example can teach your children a lot and even show them that unwanted peer pressure can be rejected. Demonstrate how you value your freedom to think and act independently; prove that you don't do something because "everyone is doing it." (For example, you may be asked to sign a petition to deny a zoning change that would allow a group home for physically challenged adults in your neighborhood. Because you believe that these individuals will benefit from a family atmosphere in a safe neighborhood, you refuse to sign this petition that everyone else in your neighborhood supports. Your children will learn from your example that it's important to do what you think is right, not just what is popular.)

5. It's best not to share with your children the stress and conflict you're experiencing in your own life.

• True. Wrong. It's a good idea to talk honestly about any stress or conflict you're experiencing. Children need to know that such struggles are a natural and normal part of life. And it's important for them to see how you deal with this stress and conflict.

  Your children have a terrific role model when they see that you are coping with problems without relying on alcohol or other drugs.

• False. It's a good idea to talk honestly about any stress or conflict you're experiencing. Children need to know that such struggles are a natural and normal part of life. And it's important for them to see how you deal with this stress and conflict.

  Your children have a terrific role model when they see that you are coping with problems without relying on alcohol or other drugs.

1. Which is a greater influence on a young person's decision to use, or not use, alcohol and other drugs:
Parents' behavior

2. It's easy for children to find positive role models these days.
False

3. It's a good idea not to drink in front of your children.
False.

4. When a phone call interrupts dinner, it's okay for a parent to say "Tell them I'm not home yet" when a child answers the phone.
False.

5. It's best not to share with your children the stress and conflict you're experiencing in your own life.
False.

Start Over Start Over

Next Quiz Next Quiz

Don't give up!

You're on to something...

Actions speak louder than words!