What is your opinion of binge drinking in teenagers?

Answer 1

College students are sometimes seen as having a propensity to binge-drink (under the 5/4 definition), especially in the United States, despite the fact that the U.S. drinking age is 21. According to the 5/4 definition, a binge drinker is a man who consumes five or more alcoholic drinks on an occasion of unspecified duration and is a woman who consumes four or more drinks on an occasion of unspecified length. Common stereotypical participants include athletes and fraternity/sorority members, particularly after final examinations, sporting events, and during spring break, where there are generally no rules enforced, and men and women imbibe large amounts of alcohol, causing inebriation.

One common explanation of this alleged propensity for so-called binge drinking (5/4 definition) is that many college students are living on their own for the first time, free of parental supervision, among peers, especially those of the opposite sex.

Some people argue that binge drinking happens in the U.S. not in spite of the strict underage drinking laws, but rather because of it. Proponents of a lower drinking age argue that strict drinking laws drive underage drinkers underground, instead of in a licensed establishment where they will be better supervised and under less pressure to binge. Proponents of the drinking age at 21 dismiss such arguments, citing the significant drop in morbidity and mortality that followed the increased drinking age from state to state, and argue that underage drinking should be curtailed through strict enforcement of the laws against it. Others point out that morbidity and mortality also decreased among those age 21 and above and was not caused by the drop in legal purchase/possession age.

The U.S. state where so-called binge-drinking is most prevalent is North Dakota, where the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 31 percent of residents ages 12 and older had engaged in binge drinking, using the 5/4 definition instead of the clinically-recognized definition, at least once in the last 30 days. The survey found that the lowest binge-drinking rate in the U.S. was in Utah; this is attributed in part to the large Mormon population there and some restrictive state laws.

Research in the United States has found that about one-half of those identified as binge drinkers under the 5/4 definition are not even intoxicated (Perkins et al.) leading many to claim that such a definition inappropriately demonizes moderate alcohol intake.

Over 60% of college and university students are often reported to be "bingers", based on the 5/4 definition. However, when the recognized medical/clinical definition is applied, it appears that fewer than one-half of one percent of college students have binged in the previous year.

Answer 2

It's a great shame because it has so many unfortunate consequences both for the drinker and others in the form of accidents, violence, illness, unwanted pregnancies etc. It is hard to understand why many teenagers see the consumption of large amounts of alcohol as a necessary 'rite of passage', but I think this attitude is encouraged to some extent by the media e.g. the radio disc jockey who makes jokey comments about 'feeling wrecked this morning.'

Answer 3

Why just teenagers, there are a lot of binge drinking adults out there too. I think its dangerous, we do untold damage to our bodies which will tell in later years. I have been guilty of this myself, one drink leads to another, and then one drink, two drink, three drink FALL. Wake up the next day thinking OMG why did I do it.

Answer 4

It's wicked and immoral.The Bible says drunkard's shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Answer 5

18-24 what the hell does that have to do with a view of australians far worse **** happens overseas. this a one of the most safest countries and just because of one drunk lunatic doesnt mean we should all suffer from it. i like going out on the piss :)

Answer 6

I think it is unhealthy,unsafe and leading down a road to an uneventful death.

Answer 7

incredibly disturbing. It's creating present and future alcolholics

Answer 8

it is a deadly course of action. Any drug, liquor or medication taken to excess can kill...

Answer 9

When you are young, you are dumb and full of_____.

Answer 10

its awesome!!!!