It is so great to hear all of your views and opinions on this subject, and even better, I now can comfortably reveal my age of 15, I have left my age undisclosed until now becuase I did not know how people would react, and did not want to be either reported or banned from the site.
My story or should I say life, is somewhat similiar to most of yours,
I am the first generation in the family to make my own alchohol, am growing up in a wonderfull household, and my parents are supporitve of almost every and anything I do.
I am currently working on becoming a pilot, love aviation and hope to make a career of it someday.
I have always been fascinated by Medieval, and Roman History. Ever since I remember being able to read , I have been reading about history, Collecting Roman arms and armor, miniatures, and learning the Latin language. The Vikings and Norse history are another fascination of mine and are the start of my desire to make mead.
Unlike most 15 year old boys, who at this point in thier lives are experimenting with drugs, the abuse of alchohol, and rebelious adult pleasures, I do not fit in at the parties and feel uncomfortable in the crowd. I would rather be learning to fly, be hunting, be fishing, making mead, and learing more about historical cultures, rather than getting high, drunk and having premarital sex. I am quite independant but not anti social, I have a group of friends to hang out with on the weekends, and enjoy good company.
My parents have let me drink since I was quite young. It started as sips and a small glass of wine now and then , but has progressed to about a full glass once or twice a week with my family at a sit down dinners. I also, along with my parents drink on the holidays, I belive this has helped raise me to respect alcohol not only for its intoxicating effects, but more rather because of its symbol as a drink of the mature and responsible.
Yet as most, I cannot attest to being perfectly innocent, I have been drunk before, and although it was fun, it was not worth the headache the following day nor the restrictions heavily enforced by my parents!
My parents are very supportive in my decicion to make mead and trust that I will drink it with them, in the same manner I drink wine.
I hope you all feel the same way and accept me into the meadmaking community despite my age.
Thank you for your replies and understanding.