Robyn Coburn

<<<There is a difference with this particular issue, which is that it is not
legal in the US for minors to drink alcohol.>>>>

Replying here to myself :)

After reading another post about Texas, I decided I was making ill informed
statements (Sorry all, I should know better) and set out to do some
research. I googled "Minimum legal drinking age" and discovered a wealth of
information, history, opinion, bias, statistics skewed in all directions and
a general huge labrynthian controversy, as is probably typical of any public
policy issue.

The vast majority of it focuses on drinking and driving, and the many
websites seem to focus on preventing collegiate underage drinking. Medical
websites focus on medical statistics, public policy sites focus on attempts
at the big picture federally and internationally, youth sites focus on
rights and responsibilities and the issue of federal blackmail, parenting
sites focus on prevention and communication, law enforcement sites focus on
driving, a few educational radicals have other ideas, and then there are
sites about addiction/alcoholism in general.

I love the internet!

Interestingly in terms of parents allowing minors to use alcohol in the
home, so far I have only found (buried in a pdf) the law in California
(parental supervision in the home when only family is present, or as part of
religious ceremonies and administered by a parent/guardian), and a general
statement that "the penalties, if any, vary between States".

However, a big point is an increasing focus on laws entitled Social Host
Laws, attempting to stop adults allowing minors other than their own
children to consume alcohol or drugs in their homes, either in the adults'
presence or in absentia. No more wild teen parties y'all - hey I've seen
that movie lots of times - the nadir of school culture? Another pop culture
phenomenon that probably doesn't apply to Unschoolers.

So again back to my original badly stated point. It is useful to have a
reasonable idea of the law to help you make decisions about your lifestyle.

Robyn L. Coburn

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Have a Nice Day!

I did not know it was legal for parents to let their own children consume
alcohol, but I could see it for religious ceremonies.

I just never even considered that possibility.

Kristen, off to do more research for PA

Kelly Muzyczka

For PA I found this:
http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/edu/materials/Zero-tolerance.asp

Furnishing to Minors:

Adults who sell, furnish, or purchase with the intent to sell or furnish
alcohol to anyone under 21 (even their own children), or provide them a
place to consume alcohol will receive a mandatory fine of $1,000 and up to
$2,500 for each subsequent offense.