Final answer:
Research indicates that Asian American adolescents generally have the lowest rates of alcohol consumption, whereas Native American adolescents tend to have the highest. Factors like parenting styles, religiosity, peer pressure, and cultural practices are key in influencing these trends.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to research, Asian American adolescent minorities have the lowest rates of drinking alcohol, while Native American adolescent minorities have the highest rates of drinking alcohol. Factors influencing these statistics include parenting styles, religiosity, peer influence, and cultural norms as shown in studies like those by Bahr & Hoffman. For example, the strictness or leniency of parenting can be a significant factor in adolescent drinking behaviors. Additionally, the level of religiosity among different ethnic groups may contribute to the variance in drinking rates, with some religions strongly discouraging alcohol consumption. Peer influence also plays a crucial role, as adolescents may adjust their behaviors to conform to the expectations and norms of their peer group. Cultural attitudes towards drinking vary greatly among different minority groups, and those attitudes are reflected in the alcohol consumption rates of their youth.