SIR - There has been much debate on whether the law should be changed with respect to parents letting their children consume alcohol under the age of 16, within the home.

Some people view this proposed change in law as unjust, as it is an infringement on the parent's autonomy of how they choose to bring their children up. In support of this argument, they say a small glass of wine or lager does not pose a problem in the long-term.

They go on to highlight how in France and other European countries, children from as young as eight have alcohol with their meals.

I would be inclined to agree with the above perspectives if all parents in the UK acted in the same responsible way as our counterparts in France, but this cannot be said of all parents here. Our culture and way of life is completely different to that of the French.

You will have to excuse the cliche, but many parents seem to have the view that what their children want, they must have. This includes encouraging them in binge drinking.

But it is ludicrous the amount of media coverage there has been on this issue, when everyday children are exposed and influenced by immoral and sexual entertainment, supplied by television and teenage magazines. The other day, I inadvertently switched my Sky on to the dance chart channel and was shocked by what I saw. There was dancing being performed by young women, who were making sexually explicit gyrating movements and the costumes were so skimpy, you could see they were wearing G-strings. The accompanying lyrics were equally unsuitable, comprising of very bad language.

It's hardly surprising youths have attitude, no respect for their peers, suffer with under-aged pregnancies and the increase of binge drinking.

Mrs Sarah Giles, Worcester.