Can a child of 5 be served an alcoholic beverage as part of the meal?

Answer 1

In most US states it is illegal to serve alcohol to minors, period. Makes no difference if it is in the home or not, family, friends or otherwise. That being said, it is not uncommon at a family meal to allow children (usually older than 10) to have a sip of wine to stem their curiosity. But to serve a 5 year old is unusual at best. It used to be, in some states, legal to let a child have a sip of wine in the home at family dinner, this is no longer the case. Enforcement however is difficult.

Answer 2

No, this would be unsafe.

The ethanol molecules in alcohol are poisonous, which is why as adults we feel a buzz when we drink. The ethanol enters the bloodstream, and it is carried into the brain, where it disrupts nerve signals. The liver and kidneys begin working hard to remove the alcohol from our bodies. There is a lot of biochemistry going on during this process. Your body is busy changing the ethanol into acetaldehyde and other chemicals.

At the age of four, our brain, liver, and kidneys are all still developing. To introduce ethanol into the body starts reactions that the organs are not ready for. In minute amounts, it can make a small child feel bad. In anything more than that, it can actually cause a coma or death.

Answer 3

You're a horrible person if you give a 5 year old child alcohol in any amount to consume. If you are the parent or legal guardian you should have your child taken away by child services