Death by drinking

Binge drinking and the family's role

by Nanci Olesen, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Stories of young people excessively drinking -- be it at a rural bar or a college party -- prompt a lot of people to ask, "Where are the parents?"

There is a new term for 18 to 25-year-olds: "emerging adults." Developmentally they are not quite adults. They still are defining themselves as independent beings. They are influenced by peers, still influenced by parents, and apt to be involved in risky behavior.

Nanci Olesen reports on family matters for Minnesota Public Radio and she joined All Things Considered host Tom Crann to discuss how parents and their kids communicate about alcohol and other risky behaviors.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 01/11/2008, 5:52 p.m.