Parents feel confident about advising and guiding their young children, but they "wimp out" as the children enter adolescence, according to a new study from the Partnership for A Drug-Free America.

The findings are significant because teens in middle and high school need guidance on drugs, sex and other significant issues - but the parents of these older teens told researchers that they feel unequipped with information and answers. Many parents reported that they want to maintain a non-authoritarian friendship with their teenagers, so they were reluctant to give orders, search their children's rooms, and undertake other activities that might put them at odds with their children.

"Parents are the most powerful influencers in their kids' lives, including on their choice to try drugs or alcohol, but this study clearly shows that many parents feel increasingly overwhelmed as kids become teenagers," said Steve Pasierb, the partnership's president.

The survey involved more than 1,000 parents with children ages 10 to 19. More than half the parents of middle schoolers said they felt uninformed about drugs and alcohol, compared to 35% of parents of fourth and fifth graders. Many parents of older teens agreed with statements such as "I think it's important that my child considers me a friend" and "I have a hard time saying no."

The Partnership for A Drug-Free America is a nonprofit alliance of parents, scientists, and communication experts dedicated to helping families raise healthy children. The organization has conducted its annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Survey every year since 1978.

Labels: influences, older_teens, prevention