I am extremely upset by the recent Statistics Canada study released with information that concluded children imitate their parents’ behaviours. Lifestyles of the parents, it said, are often emulated by their children, causing them to develop habits such as watching too much TV, drinking, smoking etc. How much time and taxpayers’ dollars were spent to gather data that come as no news to anyone?
The money wasted on this study might have been better spent on education and awareness programs to promote healthier lifestyles for our youth.
Why did the government stop at the mention of smoking and drinking as unhealthy habits and never touch upon gambling? It is because young people emulate their parents’ behaviours and the government encourages gambling that more young people than ever are developing gambling addictions. Consider:
- During the mid 1990s, studies revealed that 4-8% of adolescents were experiencing gambling problems. This was 2-4 times higher than the prevalence rate among adults.
- In 2002 studies showed that 25% of pathological gamblers are between the ages of 18-24. This subgroup is obviously part of the group who began developing problems during their adolescent years. Sadly, members of this group represent just 6% of those currently seeking treatment.
- Because gamblers in the above age group age aren’t seeking treatment, these same people will move up the continuum to become the parents of the next generation, who are likely once again to emulate their parents’ behavior, provided they haven’t committed suicide.
According to Statistics Canada, the second highest cause of death for all teen-agers between the ages of 15-19, and males ages 19-24 (other than automobile accidents) is suicide. It is also the leading cause of death for men in the 25-39 age group.
Deny as government’s will, problem gambling has become a major public health issue and prevention through education is lacking. The gambling industry (including Loto-Quebec and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) promotes lotteries, scratch tickets and sports pools. And parents who are not knowledgeable about the harmful effects of gambling buy these tickets and scratch them in front of the children, or worse yet, buy tickets for them. Little do they realize this destroys the work ethic for our youth. Every day, retailers across the province disobey the law prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets to minors - and they go unpunished.
Let us not blame parents for things that they do in ignorance. Let us instead blame governments that forsake public health in order to reap what appears at first glance to be easy revenue. In the end, they will learn that anything that creates that much revenue has heavy consequences that can be deferred but cannot be ignored.
Sol Boxenbaum is a gambling critic and consumer advocate.
Originally published on page A19 Ottawa Citizen
Thursday November 13, 2003
Copyright Canwest
