I'm sorry but that is my biggest disappointment in some people. When I find out or see for myself people feeding alcohol to small children. Of course they ask for it. They always ask to have what your having, because they think they are missing out on something. It is ok to say no to our children, it is ok to set boundaries and acceptable age levels for certain practices. My eldest DD is nearly 11 and I would be mortified if someone feed her alcohol. She knows that alcohol is an adult thing and of course at this time is not at "that stage" either. I enjoy a nice drop of red with dinner albeit few and far between but I certainly wouldn't share any with my children just because they asked for some. I certainly don't demonize alcohol or refer to it as a forbidden fruit, To me it's about age appropriateness and the bodies ability to cope with the effects of alcohol. We are facing a new social reality where children seem to be adopting older behaviour at a younger age. But why are we encouraging this to happen? I've been at a few parties where particular people gave their child a sip and then another then another, oh so funny to see a small child drunk...Not!! Irresponsible comes to mind and in those particular cases abusive and no amount of justification could ever change my mind that it's ok to give alcohol to children even in the smallest quantity. How does any parent justify giving a drug to their child??? Kids who see parents drinking alcohol see it as a social thing. It is not surprising that some kids think that drinking alcohol is cool, makes them seem more grown up and is the thing to do'.
A lot of people have kind of wanted to adopt the idea of the European/Mediterranean pattern of drinking and socialising our kids early as a preventative strategy. However, our culture in Australia is quite different to the Mediterranean and European culture with respect to drinking. Children who begin drinking like Europeans are still likely to fall victim to the binge drinking culture common in Australia. To set the right example parents can "show" their children how to drink responsibly by drinking in moderation and at home during meal times without actually dishing it out.
I do have to say that perhaps giving your teenage child a 1/2 glass of wine with dinner for a special occassion is not entirely a bad thing but to regularly supply it like a bottle of coke at the weekend is just wrong IMO.

Also just commenting on a previous post about the liver healing itself from alcohol abuse, you are incorrect the liver doesn't repair itself from alcohol abuse. Cirrhosis of the liver is permenant.

Kate I will watch that show on Thursday, it should be interesting.